Reflection 1/2/2024 - Who are you? What is your Purpose?

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010224.cfm

John the Baptist by Anton Van Dyck (public domain)

The people sent Priest and Levites to John and asked him, "Who are you? What is your purpose?"

John could have said he was many things; yet, he said he was nothing more than a witness of one far greater . John's life was not centered on self. He committed his life to changing the world for God as a voice proclaiming the Word.

Who are you?  What is your purpose? These are question to ask ourselves. Each person should examine self, their actions, and desires.  

Is my life centered on self or is it center in Christ?  Is my deepest identity love? Pray about it.

Probably not too many of us will answer that we are nothing. In this world not many will say the thing they live for is the Lord.

Our answer is found in the response to the peoples whose lives we cross every day. As Christian witnesses, our lives must be lived for others just like Jesus'. 

Our answers are proclaimed in choices made in facing everyday worldly situations and circumstances. If we walk with the Lord, we answer with love using the situations and circumstances of everyday life wisely to serve God and others. 

Proclaiming to follow Christ but failing to live a life of love for Christ is a lie. Actions deny Christ as strongly as words. 

Who are you? What is your purpose? 

These are questions to truthfully answer by prayer.  Without prayer, our witness is empty. Without prayer, we stray from God. Pray to be strong enough to witness for one far greater than ourselves. Reflect the light of Christ into the darkness of the world. Be a voice that proclaims the Word of God.

Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen.