Recognize Jesus

 

 John answered them, 

“I baptize with water; 

but there is one among you 

whom you do not recognize, 

the one who is coming after me, 

whose sandal strap 

I am not worthy to untie.”

(John :126-27)

Jesus is one among you whom you do not recognize. He walks beside you on the road, He shares your joys and cries, He listens to your hopes and fears, He knows your deepest needs, He offers you His grace and peace, He plants his kingdom seeds. Jesus works with you in daily tasks, shows you what is wise, guides you with His gentle hand, teaches you His ways, blesses you with gifts and skills, and fills your life with praise. 

Jesus is Your Lord and Savior who loves you with a perfect love, calls you by your name, waits for you to turn to Him, longs to be your friend, invites you to His table, and wants your love to mend. Come to Jesus and recognize His presence over your life.

Jesus is in the stranger, knocking at the door, 

who asks for food and shelter, and a little more 

as if you were the least of these, the hungry and the poor 

till at last your gracious welcome makes His presence sure. 

Jesus is in the scripture, speaking through the word, 

who tells the ancient stories, and the truths they stirred 

as if you were the living Word, the lamp unto our feet 

till at last your Spirit opens our minds to all we meet. 

Jesus is in the glory, shining from above, 

who fills the earth with beauty, and the heavens with love 

as if you were the King of kings, the Lord of all creation 

till at last your splendor dazzles our eyes with admiration.

Thy way, not mine, O Lord, however dark it be; lead me by Thine own hand, choose out the path for me. Smooth let it be or rough, it will be still the best; winding or straight, it leads right onward to thy rest.

Pericope:

II: The Book of Signs

JOHN THE BAPTIST'S TESTIMONY TO HIMSELF

John 1:22-28

Gospel John 1:19-28

This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”  So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 

Reflection Source:

Conversation with Copilot

Be Yourself

When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites 

to him to ask him, “Who are you?” 

he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, 

“I am not the Christ.” 

JOHN 1:19-20

John the Baptist and Jesus Christ had a special relationship. They were related by blood, as John’s mother Elizabeth and Jesus’ mother Mary were cousins. They were also related by purpose, as John was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry. John recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John also humbly acknowledged that Jesus was greater than him, and that he must decrease while Jesus must increase. John was faithful to his mission until the end, even when he faced persecution and imprisonment. Jesus praised him as the greatest among those born of women. John the Baptist is an example of a courageous and devoted servant of God, who fulfilled his role as a witness and a forerunner of Jesus Christ. 

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:6-8, 19-28)

As followers of Christ, we have a personal relationship with Him, based on faith, love, and obedience. It means to believe in His death and resurrection as the only way to be saved from sin and to receive eternal life. It means to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as ourselves. It means to obey His commands and teachings, and to follow His example of humility, service, and sacrifice. It means to live in the hope and joy of His presence, and to look forward to His return.

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God. I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11)

My soul rejoices in my God. To rejoice in God means to feel joy or delight in the Lord, and to celebrate his presence and his works in our lives. It is a command and a choice that we can make, regardless of our circumstances, because God is always good and faithful. Rejoicing in God is also a fruit of the Spirit, a result of being filled with his love and power. Rejoicing in God can help us overcome anxiety, fear, and doubt, and experience his peace and joy.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, 48 for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy. (Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54)

Let us always maintain a constant communication with God, and to be aware of His presence and His will in every situation. This is by way of having a prayerful attitude and a readiness to talk to God at any time. Praying without ceasing is a way of expressing our dependence on God, our gratitude for His blessings, and our desire for His guidance. Praying without ceasing is also a way of resisting temptation, overcoming worry, and growing in faith.

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil. May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will also accomplish it. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)

Lord Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. You are the way, the truth and the life. You are the light that shines in the darkness. It is You who made me to be who I am and what I am today. You are a brother and a friend. In You, I became a child of God. I rejoice in You O Lord my God and Savior. Thank You so much for being everything to me. Amen.

Pericope:

I: Prologue

PROLOGUE

John 1:1-18

III: Return of the First Captives

THE MISSION OF THE AFFLICTED

Isaiah 61:1-11

II: The Infancy Narrative

THE CANTICLE OF MARY

Luke 1:46-56

III: Specific Exhortations

CHURCH ORDER

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing Chat

Recognize Jesus

“Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him 

but did to him whatever they pleased. 

So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” 

MATTHEW 17:12

From the very beginning, one reason some very important people did not recognize the Christ Child is that they weren’t expecting a child, and they certainly weren’t expecting a child from the working class. They were looking for someone already honored and influential. 

Today, the Lord calls upon us to let go of our preconceived notions and be open to the mystery of God. Let us open our life to the path that God shows us and say yes to His will. Let is recognize Jesus in His acts of mercy and compassion, and show the same love to others.

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:9, 10-13)

The prophet Elijah is a man of God and a man of faith who trusted in the Lord. He prophesied of future things and wielded heaven's sword. People waited for his return, who will prepare the way for Christ, who will make his people learn, who will restore all things to God, who will end the age of strife, who will herald the day of the Lord, and who will share in his glory and life. Let us look forward to the day of the Lord, when Jesus will come again in glory and power (Malachi 4:5-6).

In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace. Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits; by the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire. How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Whose glory is equal to yours? You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses. You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob. Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship. (Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11)

Jesus makes you strong by giving you His grace, His love, and His Spirit. He is your source of strength and your refuge in times of trouble. He promises to be with you always and to help you overcome any challenges you may face. 

O shepherd of Israel, hearken from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. Rouse your power. 15 Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. (Psalm 80:2, 3, 15-16, 18-19)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy. So He gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. (Eph 2:4-5)

Jesus, You hold everything together by your power. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I recognize You as my Lord and Savior. I confess my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. I believe in You and receive Your grace. I follow You and obey Your commands. You are my everything and my all, my joy and my peace, my love and my Lord! Amen.

Pericope:

V: Jesus, the Kingdom, and the Church

THE COMING OF ELIJAH

Matthew 17:9-13

II.  Eulogy of the heroes of Israel and some of the Patriarchs

ELIJAH AND ELISHA

Sirach 48:1-16

Third Book of Psalms 73-89

PRAYER TO RESTORE GOD'S VINEYARD

Psalm 80:1-20

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing Chat