God’s Messengers
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.
By Elizabeth Tomlin