Let what you hear from the beginning
REMAIN IN YOU
REMAIN IN YOU
Today's Gospel
presents John the Baptist as an example of one who is filled with the Holy
Spirit and allows what he heard from the beginning to remain in his heart (Cf 1
Jn 2:24). John the Baptist perseveres even in the heat of conflict and
confrontation imposed by the priests and Levites who were sent to him. The
Gospel suggests that John the Baptist is able to know who Jesus Christ is
because he knows so well who he himself is not - the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor
the Prophet. John knew who he was and recognized who Jesus was.
In the reading from
the first Letter of St. John, we are invited to think about our own lives,
especially as we move into this New Year. St. John invites us to remain in
Jesus. This is more than a sense of staying put and not doing anything. John
invites us to make Jesus Christ our abiding Place, our Dwelling, like a house
that becomes our home. We have a relationship with Jesus in our daily walk - on
a personal level - and we are dwelling in Him. After all, Jesus has already come
to you and me on a personal level. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among
us" (Jn 1:14). The Son of God abides with us and we are called to abide in
Him.
In the Responsorial
Psalm we acclaim this truth, "The Lord has made His salvation known: in
the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice" (Ps 98:2)!
Let what you hear
remain in you!