Our Gospel for the second Sunday of Advent introduces us to John the Baptist, one of the most peculiar characters in the New Testament. He had an odd choice for fashion, wearing wild-looking clothing made of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He lived in the desert wilderness, ate locusts and wild honey and preached a strange message. Unlike so many people, John the Baptist knew his mission in life. He clearly understood that he had been set apart by God for a purpose.
Still, after reading the Gospel I came away thinking “who was this guy.”
Do you know someone who stands up for people who are being put down? How about someone who tells friends it’s crazy to use and abuse alcohol and drugs? What about someone who takes a stand on political issues, arguing for human rights and ALL the different components that fall under the pro-life values?
If you know any of those people, then you know John the Baptist. He had the guts to publicly challenge people to follow God’s way—the path of compassion, forgiveness, repentance, and sacrifice for poor people. He called on the ordinary people and the rulers of his day to change their lives. He pointed to Jesus as the example to follow. In the end his courage cost him his life when King Herod imprisoned and beheaded him.
It’s tough speaking the truth. I know teenagers and young adults who are mocked and shunned by their families and their peers because they demonstrate for what is right. But they did it anyway because they know the Gospel and they saw protesting for peace and human rights as Jesus’ way. They had guts. Look around. Other people in our world, in our own community, are showing similar courage. Doesn’t our broken world need more people who are willing to stand for God, for what is right, even when it costs them?
Who was John the Baptist? Why not let it be you this Advent.