Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.

By: Sister Joan Cawley

Opening Prayer

Lord, John the Baptist was called by you for a special purpose – to make Jesus known by baptizing with water. Now it is our turn to listen for your call. Open our ears, Lord, to hear you.

Scripture

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” John 1:29-34

Reflection

It seems rather strange, doesn’t it? After all the hustle and bustle of Advent and Christmas, the holidays seem a memory (except for the incoming bills). We have returned to what the Church calls “Ordinary Time” - back to our routine, the familiar grind. Sure there are days we can look forward to like Valentine’s Day or winter break. However, Lent will be here sooner than we expect. Meanwhile we face the ordinariness of our lives.

But that’s not quite right, for Christmas is not an end but a beginning. It is now, in Ordinary Time, that the work of Christmas begins. In the words of Howard Thurman,

When the song of the angels is stilled
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
*to find the lost
*to heal the broken
*to feed the hungry
*to rebuild the nations
*to bring peace among people
*to make music for the heart

This is Ordinary Time – that period of the Church year when we pay closer attention to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. John the Baptist was called by God for a specific purpose – to point to Jesus and, because he does, he dies. When Jesus began his public ministry, many thought he was John the Baptist raised to life. Even in death, John pointed to Jesus.

And now we come to you and me. Why? Because the Baptist’s words come down through the centuries, to our age, and what our Christian calling, our baptism demands. Very simply, we, too, are to point to Christ.

We point to Christ not only by our words but by the way we live and the effort we exert to make the world a better place by our presence. God works through ordinary people like you and me.

“Let your light shine,” said Jesus, not only in the church but in the world and for all the nations. That call to be a light, to be a reflection of Jesus, is anything but ordinary.

Reflection Question

Am I willing to serve, to be a disciple and point to Jesus as John the Baptist did?

Closing Prayer

Loving God, look with favor on all whom You have called as we endeavor to discern Your will. Grant this and all our prayers through Your Son, Jesus.

Welcoming the Holy