Second Week of Advent Reflection
Sr. Mary Luke Jones

Reading about John the Baptist, one wonders why anyone took him seriously.  He looked disheveled, had a strange appetite, bellowed about sin and threatened the authorities.  Not a very attractive character, was he?  But obviously there was something about him…his charism…his propensity for telling the truth…his willingness to play second fiddle…his promise of salvation if repentance was sought…something that drew people to him….whole regions of seekers. 

Thinking about John made me reflect on others who have spoken hard words, done outrageous things, stood out in the crowd to promote truth and justice and salvation.  Martin Luther King, Jr, Gloria Steinham, Mahatma Gandhi, Liz Chaney, Caesar Chavez, Mark Kelly, Mother Teresa, Bishop Mariann Budde come to mind.  Perhaps not as acerbic as John the Baptist but each of these people and many more have stopped us in our tracks by speaking the truth, regardless of the consequences.   

John pointed to his cousin, the Messiah, as he declared “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  I often wonder about the relationship between John and Jesus.  They were second cousins through their mothers and the same age.  We learned that from Luke, chapter 1.  Were there any family reunions?  Did they know each other?  When John pointed to Jesus, was it as a relative, someone he knew well, or was it a surprise to him?  These are questions we have no ready answers for but what do they tell us?  Perhaps the one who offers you the greatest path to the kingdom of heaven is someone you least expect.  Who brings you closest to God?  Who serves up examples of kindness and compassion?  Who makes you want to be a better person?   

There’s an old Persian saying: if you want to smell sweet, stay close to the seller of perfumes.  Surround yourself with good examples, with people of character and those who challenge you to live a life of true holiness.  If you feel unworthy to carry their sandals, you’ve found the right one.  Stick close!