December 14, 3rd Monday of Advent: A witness to the Light

Prepare to Listen.  Light the pink and two purple candles.  Be still and pray: Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the LORD (Is 51:1).
 
Prayerfully Read John 1:6-9
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.  8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.  9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
 
Prayerfully Wonder
John’s Gospel begins, not with Jesus, but with John the Baptizer.  Obviously, he’s important but not that important.  He’s not that important because “he himself was not the light.”  He’s important because “he came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.”  It was an awesome task!  Did the responsibility weigh on John?  Did he question his ability to convince people to believe because of his message?  I wonder.  We don’t know what John thought.  We do know that he put himself aside (see John 3:25-30), and simply got on with the job.  It took great faith since John had little to go on.  He didn’t know the one for whom he was a witness.
 
This introduction to John is vague.  So too is the introduction of the one to come.  He’s merely described as light, a word that reveals little.  But, if you keep reading John’s Gospel, it will begin to make sense, especially when you hear Jesus claim, “I am the light of the world” (8:12).
 
Prayerfully Reflect
What caught your attention in these few verses?  What does it mean to you that Jesus is the light?
 
Respond to Jesus
Jesus Light of the World, you came to enlighten everyone, to reveal to us the way that leads to life.  Help me look at what you are revealing to me today and walk in your way.  Amen.
 
Go live obediently in the world following Jesus, the Light.