Today’s Gospel demonstrates what it means to be apostolic people and witnesses to Christ in our lives. To be apostolic is to be “sent out.” To bear witness to Christ means to live out the faith through our actions, even unto death.
The Book of Isaiah, quoted in Mark’s Gospel today, gives a prelude of the apostolic nature of our faith, “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” (Mk 1:2). John the Baptist was sent to announce prophetically the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God. As John baptized, Mark shares that “the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him” (Mk 1:5). People were curious because they knew the prophecies about the Messiah and they anticipated Him. Like the Church during Advent, they waited for the Messiah with expectation.
Today’s Gospel makes it seem like introducing people to Jesus and calling people to a life of holiness was easy for John. And initially, it might have been. People flocked to John, confessing their sins and being baptized. We read nothing of resistance or distrust in today’s Gospel. However, we know that John the Baptist was ultimately beheaded because he called people away from sin (cf Mt 14:6-12).
As Christians, we are sent out to announce Jesus to the world through word and witness. At times, we will work in communities that are growing in holiness and living out the faith and we may feel joyful and welcomed. However, in today’s culture, people are increasingly disaffiliating with churches and there is a distrust of religion, resentment, and outright hostility, even ridicule, toward Catholics. Yet we must persevere joyfully and lovingly.
Though Christians today may not be as physically conspicuous as John the Baptist and his Essene community, since we do not wear camel’s hair and eat locusts and honey, we should still be conspicuous. We should be readily identifiable as people who live with hope in Jesus, who love our neighbors radically, who stand in solidarity especially with the most vulnerable, and who are courageous when challenged. By giving witness in this way, we announce Christ as His messengers.
El evangelio de hoy demuestra lo que significa ser apóstoles y testigos de Cristo en nuestras vidas. Ser apóstol es ser “enviado”. Dar testimonio de Cristo significa vivir la fe con nuestras acciones, incluso hasta la muerte.
El Libro de Isaías, citado en el Evangelio de Marcos hoy, da un preludio del carácter apostólico de nuestra fe: “He aquí que yo envío a mi mensajero delante de ti, a preparar tu camino” (Mc 1, 2). Juan el Bautista fue enviado para anunciar proféticamente la venida del Mesías, el Hijo de Dios. Como Juan bautizó, Marcos comparte que “A él acudían de toda la comarca de Judea y muchos habitantes de Jerusalén” (Mc 1, 5). La gente tenía curiosidad porque conocían las profecías sobre el Mesías y lo anticiparon. Como la Iglesia durante el Adviento, esperaban al Mesías con expectación.
En el Evangelio de hoy parece que presentar a la gente a Jesús y llamar a la gente a una vida de santidad fue fácil para Juan. E inicialmente, podría haberlo sido. La gente acudió en masa a Juan, confesando sus pecados y siendo bautizados. No leemos nada de resistencia o desconfianza en el Evangelio de hoy. Sin embargo, sabemos que al final Juan el Bautista fue decapitado porque llamó a la gente a dejar el pecado (cf Mt 14, 6-12).
Como cristianos, somos enviados a anunciar a Jesús al mundo a través de la palabra y el testimonio personal. A veces, trabajaremos en comunidades que están creciendo en santidad y viviendo la fe y podemos sentirnos alegres y bienvenidos. Sin embargo, en la cultura actual, la gente se desafilia cada vez más de las iglesias y hay desconfianza hacia la religión, resentimiento y abierta hostilidad, incluso burlas, hacia los católicos. Sin embargo, debemos perseverar con gozo y amor.
Aunque puede ser que los cristianos de hoy no sean tan llamativos físicamente como Juan el Bautista y su comunidad esenia, dado que no usamos pelo de camello ni comemos langostas y miel, aún debemos llamar la atención. Deberían poder identificarnos fácilmente como personas que viven con la esperanza en Jesús, que aman radicalmente a su prójimo, que se solidarizan especialmente con los más vulnerables y que son valientes al enfrentar los retos. Al dar testimonio de esta manera, anunciamos a Cristo como Sus mensajeros.
Elizabeth Tomlin is the author of Joyful Momentum: Building and Sustaining Vibrant Women’s Groups and contributing author to the Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers. She is General Counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Elizabeth is an Army wife and mother of three and currently lives in the DC area. She blogs at JoyfulMomentum.org or @elizabethannetomlin on social media.
Feature Image Credit: matthiasboeckel, pixabay.com/photos/advent-advent-wreath-candles-7660345/
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 
Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works full time, is a guest blogger on 
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