John 1:29-34 

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptize with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

Reflection 

John’s words reveal an amazing certainty about his role, coupled with great faith. He was to reveal the Chosen One of God to Israel although he had no idea who that person was. But he knew the sign that would identify the Chosen One and was certain about it when he saw it: “Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God”. 

The revelations which Joseph received when he found that Mary was pregnant seemed to have given Joseph the same kind of certainty which John showed.  These were two very special men with crucial roles in the life of Jesus, but they were human and would have at times been afflicted with doubts.  Despite this they seemed to have a level of communication with God and a certainty about what he was asking them to do that many of us would envy. What enabled them to so clearly discern the will of God in their lives? And why can it be so difficult for us to do this at times? 

John was known for his ascetic life and the time he spent in the desert. His life prior to taking up his mission was one of silence and simplicity, and he deliberately sought communication with God in that space.  In contrast, many of us have noisy and complex lives, in which we receive information and manage relationships like jugglers .  Being disconnected – separated from internet or media – can create a sense of marginalization because these are our forms of community connection, and spending time with the contents of our own minds can be distinctly uncomfortable.  

We might yearn for silence, but when we find it somewhere in our beautiful country, how easy is it to remain in that place without resorting to reading a book or calling someone?  Physical solitude in a beautiful place seems to be a recipe for being in touch with God and ourselves, but it really only works in this way if we have first learned to be silent in the presence of God in hundreds of smaller ways in our ordinary lives. The opportunities are many – waiting in a queue, during the train or bus ride to work, the walk down the road to buy a coffee, when a child is asleep, and so on.  

These moments are an example of “seek and you will find”, because a desire for them makes them evident. But each time a small silent space opens up we have to make a decision to connect with God rather than pulling out the phone or turning to the TV or laptop. It is this decision that takes commitment and practice.