Over the last month I’ve read several stories about people, mainly women, who have made significant lifestyle choices. Something within prompted them to address what appeared to be a ‘restlessness’ and tension about the life they were living. They were called to ask: how fulfilling is my current life; does it give me life – bring me joy and contentment; what changes do I need to make? In making these changes their lives were enriched, as were those to whom they ministered in their various roles, including their families.
In the context of today’s readings, they were enlightened; they were invited into the light, became aware of new possibilities. This was the case for Isaiah, John and Jesus and the psalmist proclaimed: "The Lord is my light and my salvation… my help… the stronghold of my life… hold firm, take heart… hope in the Lord."
In today’s scriptures we read about the fulfillment of prophecies. These were significant occasions for Isaiah in the Old Testament and for John and Jesus.
During Advent and at Jesus' baptism, we were reminded that John’s mission was to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’. John was aware that someone greater (than he) would come after him.
Have you ever wondered about Jesus’ relationship with John – his cousin – Elizabeth’s son – when both mothers shared an intimate and faith filled relationship, both physical and spiritual - during their pregnancy – when Elizabeth proclaimed: “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44). No doubt both Mary and Elizabeth, John and Jesus, lived a private and public life – very much in the public eye.
John's imprisonment marked a pivotal transition from the preparatory ministry of John to the public ministry of Jesus, indicating that John had completed his divine mission to prepare the way for the Lord. Jesus returned to Galilee and settled in Capernaum – a village of comfort – and began preaching the message: ‘repent for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’ (Matt 4:17).
This message can be summed up in the opening lines of the 2nd reading when Paul says: for goodness sake, make up your differences (instead of disagreeing) and be united in your belief and practice.
So, our readings invite us to be faithful to the God we profess we believe in, to respond wholeheartedly to our invitation to ‘follow me’, just as the first disciples left their boats and followed Jesus, for I believe that ‘the Lord is my light and my salvation’ (Psalm 26 response).
