• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Laudato Si’
    • Making Room: Lent Reflection Series
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Small Grants to Implement Laudato Siˊ
    • Statement on Texas Elementary School Tragedy
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Haiti
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Vision Fulfillment Newsletters
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Vocation Resources
    • Father Phillip Donlan, CP, Ordination
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, January 2, 2009

Scripture:

1 John 2:22-28
John 1:19-28

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel passage focuses on St. John the Baptist.  It’s odd to have him appear on January 2!  We are accustomed to his presence in the midst of Advent, but now?  He seems out of place once we have celebrated the birth of Jesus.

Perhaps his presence in today’s reading will prompt reflection on our stance as Christians throughout the year we’ve just begun.

John the Baptist is a unique figure in the Gospels.  His sole reason for existence is as prophet of the Messiah; he lives only to point to Christ.  Nothing is more important for him than Jesus.  He will say "He (Jesus) must increase; I must decrease." (John 3:30)  John’s selfless commitment to Christ encourages us to make our own fearless surrender to the power of Jesus’ summons.

John’s commitment to his vocation is total.  He will be martyred by King Herod; his courage will cost him his head!  The Baptist challenges us to fearless dedication and absolute dedication to Christ and His Gospel.

Social commentators tell us that our age is characterized by a concern for "me".  Healthy self-regard is important, necessary and godly.  Yet, so much of our concern with self seems, instead, inappropriate, egotistical and relentlessly narcissistic.  Our recent financial crises seem rooted in an outrageous attitude of "me first".  A self-concern that blinds us to the presence and needs of others is hardly healthy, much less holy.

How refreshing is John the Baptist!  He is free, unfettered by the concerns of his ego.  His trust in the One beyond himself is complete, total.  May his example set the tone for us in 2009.  May we live totally for Christ, the True Light of the World proclaimed by the Baptizer.

 

Fr. Jim Thoman, C.P. is the director of St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Footer

Facebook Feed

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2023 | Log in