THE COURAGE TO SAY WHO YOU ARE.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. YEAR B.
December 14, 2008.
(First reading: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11) (Responsorial: Luke 1:48-54)
(Second reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24) (Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28).


THE COURAGE TO
SAY WHO YOU ARE.

John the Baptist had the courage to say who he was. He did not fall into the temptation of presenting himself as something he was not: He was "a testimony to the Light... [but] he was not the Light" (John 1:8).

The light only shines through those who are truthful to themselves and, thus, truthful to others.

Consequently John's followers believed in him because he courageously and honestly said who he was: "A testimony to the light"

Unlike John, those who live in sin try to present themselves as being "good"; they cover up what they truly are.

In a world where there is rampant injustice, abuses, war and destruction, it is not uncommon to see that the sinners make every effort to lie about their evil acts and to present themselves as being the opposite of what they are.

Thus, their actions and words and their lives are merely a testimony to the lie.

Those who lack the courage to say who they really are, only fool themselves and keep the human race in darkness, in the shadow of death. They are the ones who, the gospel says, refuse "to recognize the Light", the light of justice, mercy, equality, truth, unity and peace for all human beings.

Like John the Baptist, all human beings must have the courage to say who we really are.