We
have in today’s Gospel an interesting interrogation. The priests and levites
came out from Jerusalem to find out who this John the Baptist was, and whether
he was the Messiah.
And
it is probably a quite accurate description of the events that day, because
after all St John the Evangelist was a close disciple of John the Baptist and
was undoubtedly present. Hence all the detail about the interrogation. A few
verses further on it is mentioned that our Evangelist was there the following
day when John the Baptist pointed out Jesus to him and his companion Andrew.
If
you read the text carefully you will see that Jesus himself was surely present
on the occasion referred to in today’s Gospel. Why else would John the Baptist
say: ‘There stands among you, unknown to you, the one who is coming after me’?
Then the very next day John the Baptist quietly points out Jesus to John and
his companion Andrew and more or less directs them to follow Jesus.
It
is a small detail but quite interesting. It makes the priests and levites out
to be a bit on the slow side, them questioning John asking him if he was the
Messiah when the real Messiah was standing right next to them. Who says there
is no humour in the Gospels?
The
priests and levites ask John three questions: Are you the Christ?’ ‘Are you
Elijah?’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ Then they ask a fourth: ‘If you are not the
Christ, or Elijah or the Prophet then why are you baptising?’
John
answered the first three questions quite honestly by saying no to them all. The
first and the last were really the same question since the Christ and the
Prophet were words used interchangeably for the Messiah.
But
John, if you think about it, wouldn’t have been very far wrong if he had said
he was Elijah. Elijah was supposed to return as an immediate precursor to the
Messiah. And actually in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus after coming down from the
Mount of the Transfiguration referred to John the Baptist as Elijah.
After
seeing the vision of Moses and Elijah on either side of Jesus when he was
transfigured, Peter, James and John asked, ‘We know that you are the Messiah,
but how is it that Elijah did not come to announce your coming?’ Jesus replied,
clearly referring to John the Baptist, ‘Elijah has come already.’ (Mt 17,12)
The
fourth question is also worth some reflection, ‘Why then are you baptising?’
John, of course, does not directly answer but makes a declaration that the
Messiah is already here and he says with heavy irony, ‘he is standing among
you.’ Those proud priests go away unsatisfied and with hatred in their hearts,
confirmed in their ignorance and determined that they would punish John for his
impudence.
We
too face such questions. We too are asked who we are and what are we doing.
Often our questioners are just as hard in their hearts as John’s inquisitors.
But hopefully just as often our interrogators ask their questions with a real
desire to know the answers. Many times they ask with a yearning in their hearts
and they deserve to know the answers and it is our duty to guide them in the
right way.
But
no one will ask you anything like this unless they see you actually being a
Christian; actually carrying out your Christian duties; actually standing out
from the crowd for the sake of the Gospel.
It
might be that they ask you because you have been brave enough to wear a simple
cross in your buttonhole; or because you refused to take part in some minor
scam at work; or because you helped someone in need when others went hurrying
by on the other side.
But
how to deal with these questions? How to answer without making a fool of
yourself? Can I suggest that first you answer the questions for yourself. If
you know why you sit here on a Sunday then it won’t be too difficult to answer
other people. Take a little time out now and again to make this sort of
self-examination; it will repay you no end.
Not
only will help you when others put you unexpectedly on the spot but it will
give you an inner confidence and certainty which will make you feel better in
yourself.
But
you could also go one step further and talk to others about your faith. Ask
each other about your motives and priorities in life and where Jesus fits in.
Perhaps we Catholics aren’t too good at it. For many years we weren’t
encouraged to do that sort of thing, we were supposed to sit back and accept
what we were told by those in authority. But this sort of ecclesiastical
put-down doesn’t have a place today.
The
Church has moved on and realises that such questioning is good. After all, it
gives the Holy Spirit room to work. It leads to a deepening of faith and an
increased trust in the teaching of the Church. But if the Church has moved on
then perhaps we too need to move on and open our mouths and share our faith a little.
How
frequently you find a perfectly good Catholic family who all believe the same
things and who pray to the same God and yet never exchange a word about this
most important aspect of their lives. Think of the power of good that could be
done, think of how they could strengthen each other just by sharing a few words
with each other about their common faith! Think of the support they could give
to each other, think of the doubts and uncertainties that could be so easily
resolved!
Jesus
stands among us, just as he stood unrecognised among those priests and levites.
He is there as a hidden presence. Not threatening, not judging, not spying on
us or interfering; but just there cool, calm, patient, content to let things
take their course. He is just there beside us.
Be
aware of his hidden presence and you will have no fear when you face questions.
Just realising that he is by your side in your family conversations will surely
help you to share your faith with each other and help you to find a common meaning
and purpose in your life. Knowing he is close to us strengthens us in unity and
bolsters our faith and gives us the courage to be fearless witnesses to his
name.
Don’t
forget who it really is that wants you to clam up, who wants you to feel
awkward when it comes to matters of religion, who wants you to hesitate and
stumble in the face of your questioners. The evil one is quite happy to exploit
your reluctance. He wants to strike you dumb and fill your mind with confusion
and make you shy and bashful about matters of faith.
Rather
take heart from the words of Paul and let it be our prayer for each other, ‘May
the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept safe and
blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’ who
is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.