Is 61:1-2a, 10-11
1 Thes 5:16-24
Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

From Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”
So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him,
“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,'”
as Isaiah the prophet said.” Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

As a new person working at the hospital, I often hear from others, “You don’t look familiar, who are you?” I have my easy quick response, “I am a new staff chaplain at this hospital, I serve the medical surgery patients.” Most of the time, people are satisfied with this answer, it seems to tell them what they want to know.

In the Sunday readings for December 14th, the leaders and the priests are not asking John the Baptist a simple question, they want to know, “By whose authority are you doing and being who you are?” Later, Jesus would be asked the same kinds of questions.

Here it is the third week of Advent, am I any more ready to answer the questions, “By whose authority are you doing and being who you are?” than I was the first week of Advent? John the Baptist answered with who he was and what more he expected of the One who was to come, than what he himself could be or do.

What difference has Advent made in my life this year? Am I clearer about who I am and who I am not? Dare I believe and proclaim the message of Christ whom we celebrate during this season? The scripture is full of stories of people whose lives were dramatically changed due to an encounter with Jesus the Christ.

In the remaining days of Advent, I shall seek to be not only drawn to the Light, but also be transformed by the mystery and grace of Emmanuel.