POINTING AT JESUS
“‘Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’” Mt 11:11
My young friend Leopold has come to my house for dinner. He is old enough to walk, but not to talk – at least not in the presence of strangers. He’s also a little unsure about his unfamiliar new environment. His dad lets him explore the front yard before coming inside. Since he is feeling bashful, his dad lifts Leopold up to hold him. He walks from room to room, allowing Leopold to take in the new sights of the living room from the safety of his arms, then the dining room, then the kitchen, then the office.
In the office, Leopold stretches his arm straight out and points at the wall. We all look. Leopold is pointing at the crucifix.
“Jesus?” affirms his dad.
“Jesus! Good job, buddy!” I give him a high five, which he returns.
Now comfortable, Leopold wants to be put down to explore on his own.
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells the crowd: among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist. (Mt 11:11) None greater. That’s a bold statement. What makes John the greatest? To me, it’s because John – like young Leopold – points toward Jesus.
Granted, not all of us have the benefit of the angel of God visiting our parents before our birth and announcing what our life’s mission will be (Lk 1:11-17). But John demonstrates his ability to recognize and respond to Jesus from the very beginning, leaping with joy in his mother’s womb in the presence of our Lord (Lk 1:41-44). Even when John is established in his ministry and drawing throngs of followers, he shows no sign of allowing his renown to inflate his ego. Instead, from the clarity of self-knowledge that leads to humility, he continues to point toward Jesus: “I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals,” John testifies to the crowd and the priests and Levites (Lk 3:16; Jn 1:27), and “I need to be baptized by you,” he tells Jesus (Mt 3:14). Then, as Jesus’s ministry begins to also include baptizing, John quells any suspicion that he is in competition, pointing again toward Jesus and saying, “this joy of mine has been made complete” (Jn 3:29).
Today, Jesus is pointing back at John.
Lord, help me recognize and respond to You with joy, as John does. Help me to know who I am and to live with my words and deeds pointing toward You. Amen.
Vicki Lord