Advent III

Advent III

2014 – Cycle BIsaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; Luke 1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28

What are the characteristics you would deem appropriate in a witness?

• That they make a favourable impression? Cut a positive appearance?

• Are trustworthy and honest? … likable?

• One would hope for a person who is very observant and possesses an accurate memory.

Although characteristics such as good communication skills and a positive appearance are important, in the end, there is one characteristic that is an absolute requirement for witness effectiveness: credibility. What constitutes credibility? In other words, why should we believe John? “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness to the light, so that all might believe through him.  [John] was not the light…” [John 1:6-8] So what do you think about this witness, John sent from God?

• He preaches in desert and wilderness places. Odd locations to preach for who is there to listen?

• What kind of an appearance does John make with his clothing of camel’s hair and leather?

• John’s exotic appetite for honey and wild locusts might appeal to…does it appeal to you?

• He is direct in his speech often calling people a “brood of vipers” pointing out that they are sinners and questioning why they are fleeing from God’s wrath.

Are these characteristics you would be looking for in a witness? Do you consider John a credible witness when he avoids answering any question directly?

• “Who are you?” He testifies: “I am not…” “I am not the Christ.” I am not Elijah.  I am not the Prophet.  Odd.  Who identifies themselves in the negative?

• Why do you baptize…?” “I baptize with water; but there is one among you…” Again it strikes a person as avoidance. He was asked why he baptizes not with what he baptizes. And who is this person among us?

Maybe God needs to vet his witnesses better? Or are the characteristics that God is looking for in a witness different from our own? Might it be that God purposely chooses witnesses who do not make favourable impressions, do not seem credible, and aren’t even likable?  Might God be looking for someone who instead of looking the part – lives the part?  For all that lawyers and surveys reveal about witnesses who are prompted and prepared prior to trials, might God be looking for authenticity rather than professionally polished preparedness? In this light reconsider the roughhewn John the Baptist.

• Consider Francis of Assisi naked as a jay bird in the town plaza renouncing his father.

• Consider the tough as nails attitude of Teresa of Avila or a Mother Teresa of Kolkata to get what they wanted and their dark spiritual nights of the soul? How upset people were when they discovered Mother Teresa questioned the existence of God. What kind of witness is she?

• Consider the philandering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or the Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonheoffer who plotted to kill Hitler.

All, witnesses to Jesus. All sent by God. All having followers who are seeking God and God’s justice. And despite their foibles, sins and aggressive manners, what makes their witness to Jesus credible?

“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks… Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of the prophets.Test everything; retain what is good.” [1 Thessalonians 5:16-21]

Consider where Pope Francis began his ministry when he wrote to us his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel. Francis opens with:“The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept [Jesus’] offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness.” Does not the phrase, inner emptiness and loneliness not describe our age and regretfully the lives of many Christians? Being joyful in God does not mean that Christians are Pollyannaish about life nor do we ignore the suffering of the world. A joyful Christian is a person filled with God even in the face of their own personal Gethsemanes and Calvaries because we call upon a God who is faithful to us. The 16^th century Carmelite reformer, Saint Teresa of Avila said is succinctly, “A sad nun is a bad nun”. The analogy, “A sad Christian is a bad Christian”.  Pope Paul VI, in his Apostolic Exhortation, Rejoice in the Lord Always insightfully made the distinction that “[o]ur technological society has succeeded in multiplying occasions of pleasure, yet has found it very difficult to engender joy.” Christ is at the heart of joy not self-indulgence.

To pray always is not to live a monastic life, as rich as that may be, but rather Paul’s urging is more in line with the teaching of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. He wrote about always consciously living in the presence of God. Being mindful. So, whether you are peeling potatoes, driving, at work, making love with your spouse, correcting or playing with your children, doing the laundry or the lawn, taking a walk – being conscious of God’s presence is to be in a prayerful posture ceaselessly.

“In all circumstances give thanks…” The emphasis here is, “In all circumstances…” How does a Christian offer thanks while experiencing poverty, violence, injustice, sickness, loneliness, and grief? What marks the Christian as a witness for Jesus is “in all circumstances”. John tells the world that, ‘there is one among you whom you do not recognize…”   The Christian witness “in all circumstances…” recognizes the presence of Jesus and gives witness so that others might believe.

“Do not quench the Spirit…[nor] despise the words of the prophets. To witness to Jesus is also to witness to the Holy Spirit who continues to enliven the Church and the world. Do you trust the Holy Spirit(?) or like many Christians have dug your heels in and refuse to change, refuse to accept new situations, refuse to move trustingly forward into an unknown future? The Christian who wants to be in control smothers the fire of the Spirit.

Inner joy, a daily posture of prayer, gratitude in all circumstances and an openness to change; quite a different set of witness characteristics isn’t it? Are these the characteristics of your life? In the wilderness of our consumer-oriented, pleasure-oriented, complacent, violent and wasteful culture, are you a voice crying out?

Are you a credible witness to Jesus?