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Gospel Reading for January 02, 2025 – John 1: 19-28
MASTER’S VOICE
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.
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All Christians have the calling to be the voice of one crying out in the desert to make straight the way of the Lord. We may not be as charismatic as John and may not be able to draw crowds to repent their sinful ways, but by the lives we lead, the IMPACT will be great.
And, those of us who are gifted to speak well and are able to draw crowds, should always remember that we are just a voice, a small voice called to speak for the master and have to listen well to the MASTER’S VOICE!
Lord, make us instruments of your love!
