Sermonette: December 19, 2022

 During Advent, as we await the coming of the Messiah anew, it is a worthwhile exercise to reflect on the contrast between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Saint Augustine in one of his sermons does a remarkable job of developing the difference between the voice and the Word. The voice has a temporary nature to it, while the Word is permanent. When one utters with their voice, once the sound ceases the role of the voice is done. However, the Word that was conveyed by the voice is still there. In much the same way, John the Baptist proclaimed that he was "a voice of one crying in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths" Matthew 3:3. John the Baptist's job was transitory. In fact, he confesses that He (Jesus Christ) must increase while I must decrease. The voice prepared the way for the Word.

 Another similarity and/or contrast is that the voice can often be mistaken for the Word. John the Baptist was thought by many to be the long awaited Messiah. He boldly proclaimed that he was not. In fact, he humbly distinguished that he was not even worthy to loosen the thongs of the sandals of Jesus. In contrast, it was the Word that submitted Himself to be baptized by the voice.

 Finally, the Word is conveyed to others through the voice. If I have a concept or idea that is near and dear to me and I want to share it with others, it will be through my voice that the message will be transmitted. In much the same way, the Good News of Jesus Christ was shared by John the Baptist before He was made known to others.

 Why is this worthwhile for us to reflect upon during Advent as we prepare for Christmas?

 It is important because it allows us to ponder the question: How may I serve as the voice to share the Word with others this Christmas? Like John the Baptist, this involves us dying to ourselves continually so that I decrease and he must increase. We must never allow ourselves to be mistaken as the Word, but recognize that we are just the voice. We may share the Word with both our audible and inaudible voice. That is, we share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ not only through verbal evangelization, but through the charity we display to others. Examples of this include being patient, kind, and not provoked to anger with those around us.

 If we have a deeper understanding of the relationship between that original voice (John the Baptist) and the Word (Jesus Christ),we will be less prone to emphasizing the commercial aspects of Christmas, of making sure we get and receive all the right gifts. Instead, we will be more prone to sharing the joy filled message requiring no bows or wrapping paper. The message that the Word became flesh to dwell among us, to offer us redemption, and to give us the radical example of how to live by continually dying to ourselves.