THE WORD
1 Jn 2,29-3,6/ Jn 1,29-34
The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."
IN OTHER WORDS
The story is told about a father who was asked how he would name his newborn twins. He said: "The first one, I will name her Kate. And the second one? I will name her Duplikate! "
Today is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. It is a most powerful name that is why we end all our prayers, praise and petitions with the phrase "In Jesus' name." In fact, we should do everything "in Jesus' name," and all will be well, according to His will and plan.
John the Baptist lived up to his name - that of being a baptizer, a herald for Jesus, the Messiah. We are edified by the honesty and humility of St. John the Baptist. He did not pretend to be what he was not (honesty), and he did not grab the limelight from the Messiah (humility).
We are Christians. Let us live up to our name. Let us become more prayerful, humbler, and kinder. Prayer, humility, and kindness we can't go wrong with these.
May no one ever say to us: "You say you are a Christian? How come you don't pray. How come you are so proud and so unkind?"
Christian is our name.
Prayer is the wind beneath our wings.
Service is our theme.
Heaven is our aim.
- Fr. Jerry orbos, SVD (San Jose, Batangas City)
The Word in other words 2017
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
