Sent from God – Reflection on John 1:6-8, 19-28
The next time you bless yourself with Holy Water, imagine for a moment that you are standing with John the Baptist just before Jesus’s Baptism with the Spirit. Does it remind you of being cleansed in Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Can you see yourself as similar to John the Baptist, making the way for the light yet not your light? If you think about it, God has given us the ability to be human first. We have been allowed to identify our spiritual capacity since the beginning of recorded religion. In John the Baptist’s case, we can tell he became full of the Spirit when he leaped within Elizabeth’s womb. John was sent from God, filled with the Spirit, to speak to those who would listen. God has already entered you in many ways and invited you to be sent from God. With Baptism, God blesses you with the opportunity to let spirituality rise up from the depths of your soul. Filled with spiritual and physical gifts, we can make way for the light without being the light as God’s representative in the here and now.
Saint John the Baptist and the Pharisees by James Tissot (full-resolution image of painting).
More details on the painting are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
John 1:6-9, 19-28 – Scripture*
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
The Testimony of John the Baptist
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 1:6-8, 19-28 Reflection – Invited to Receive Trinity
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 1 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.