John the Baptist: Model Evangelizer - Missionary Commentary for the Second Sunday of Advent

Readings for Sunday, December 10, 2023 (Year B)

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Ps 85:9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14
2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8

USCCB link to the Sunday Readings

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The missionary role of John the Baptist is recorded in all three synoptic gospels. Along with his announcement of the advent/coming of the messiah, the kingdom, an immanent judgement, and an invitation to baptism and repentance, John practices an exemplary life-style. He dressed in a manner reminiscent of Elijah, eats simple food, and practices a prophetic way of life. He fasts and prays, practices penance and self-denial; he gathers disciples. His manner of life and preaching attracts large numbers who go out to the wilderness; some surmise that John might even be the awaited messiah.

Evangelizers, missionaries, priests, religious, catechists, laity—all attest to the importance of “life-style” in proclaiming the faith. Witness of life is the first dimension of genuine evangelization. Do you wish to inspire people and attract them to Jesus, to the Church, to deep faith? Begin by examining—and probably changing—your life-style.

Privileged Precursor. The Baptist faced a challenging vocation, an austere life-style, and disturbing doubts. Considering all the challenges and demands, was it worth the sacrifice? We hear John respond: Certainly! Absolutely! It is a great, unique privilege to prepare the pathway of the Messiah.

All ministry necessarily follows the Baptist’s pattern: leading people to Jesus, only Jesus, always Jesus, nothing and no one but Jesus. This is the privilege of being the forerunner, the precursor, the guide, the one who is not the light, but bears authentic witness to the true light (Jn 1:6-8, 15). Friends, bear witness! It is not drudgery or demanding duty; it is positively a privilege!

Inviting Others, Challenging Others. John gathered a circle of disciples; they followed his life-style (cf. Mt 9:14ff; 11:18; Mk 2:18ff; Lk 5:33ff; 7:33). Yet, John did not seek to “possess” them; he readily sent them to Jesus to inquire about His messiahship (Mt 11:2-6; Lk 7:18-23). Scripture exegetes believe that many of John’s disciples would later have become Jesus’ disciples.

John’s mission was also much wider than a focus on a closed circle of select disciples. John calls all to renewal and repentance, inviting his hearers to baptism (Mt 3:1-12; Mk 1:4-8; Lk 3:1-9). They must produce appropriate fruits of renewal. All are included in John’s ministry: religious figures, tax collectors, soldiers, all common people.

Faithful Witness. As Christians and evangelizers, we are invited to give similar witness to Christ, to be on fire, to give light to the world, to speak the truth. Fire can only be lit by someone or something that is already on fire itself. We must personally ask ourselves: Am I aflame? Am I on fire?

The Church’s liturgy captures the mission of the Baptist in the Preface designated for his feast on June 24; it can serve as an Advent paradigm for our Christian witnesses:
 

 “You set John the Baptist apart from others, marking him out with special favor…. You chose John the Baptist … to show the world its redeemer, the Lamb of Sacrifice…. You found John worthy of a martyr’s death, his last and greatest act of witness to your Son.”

Notes on the Sunday Readings

First Reading
Here Isaiah speaks of the future consolation of Israel, foreshadowing the imminent return from the Babylonian captivity; this is also our Advent call in our earthly exile.
Psalm
The Lord’s kindness and salvation are assured, particularly during the Advent-Christmas season.
Second Reading
Peter challenges us to anticipate the Lord’s coming by living devout and upright lives.
Gospel
Here we find a description of the person and role of John the Baptizer as he prepared the Messiah’s way; this is to be our pattern during Advent and throughout life.

Notes and Commentary by Maryknoller James Kroeger, who recently published Walking with Pope Francis: The Official Documents in Everyday Language (Orbis Books – 2023)

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