AdventAdventJohn the John the BaptistBaptist

A Reflection by Robert P.

Maloney, C.M.

A rich cast of Advent A rich cast of Advent characters appears on the characters appears on the

gospel stage.gospel stage.

In this presentation we focus In this presentation we focus on on

John the Baptist.John the Baptist.

Jesus called John a “brightly Jesus called John a “brightly shining lightshining light”” and declares that and declares that

he was the greatest person he was the greatest person history had ever seen.history had ever seen.

John focused his whole life on the John focused his whole life on the coming of Jesus - the Advent secret. coming of Jesus - the Advent secret.

He realized that his all-consuming He realized that his all-consuming vocation was to prepare the way of vocation was to prepare the way of

the Lord.the Lord.

As Vincentians we dedicate our As Vincentians we dedicate our whole lives to following Christ whole lives to following Christ the Evangelizer of the poor.the Evangelizer of the poor.

We seek to imitate his five missionary We seek to imitate his five missionary virtues:virtues:

1.1. SimplicitySimplicity

2.2. HumilityHumility

3.3. MeeknessMeekness

4.4. MortificationMortification

5.5. ZealZeal

Do we meditate on the person of Jesus daily?

Do we see him in the starving people, the street people, the victims of

violence in our world?

John the Baptist’s life makes it very clear John the Baptist’s life makes it very clear that the following of Christ involves a that the following of Christ involves a demanding asceticism. He knew how demanding asceticism. He knew how to speak the truth even when it cost to speak the truth even when it cost

dearly.dearly.

St. John the Baptist With the Scribes and Pharisees by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1665

John the Baptist makes it very clear that John the Baptist makes it very clear that we will live genuinely for Christ only if we will live genuinely for Christ only if

we are willing to die for him.we are willing to die for him.

For us, John’s asceticism might be:For us, John’s asceticism might be:

• Rising early to praise GodRising early to praise God• Employing moderation and a critical Employing moderation and a critical

sense in using television and other sense in using television and other mediamedia

• Withholding divisive words and Withholding divisive words and negative criticismnegative criticism

• Working hard for the poorWorking hard for the poor

Adapted from text by Gail Rieth, RSM

c. 2006

For the full text of this letter and Fr. Maloney’s other writings visit the

Vincentian Encyclopedia