John the Baptist says of Jesus in today’s Gospel: “A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.” John stands between the Old and New Testaments as if he was a ‘pivot man’ on the basketball team. That’s the position I played back in my seminary days. You get the ball from one player and quickly turn to pass it to one another. John the Baptist was a key figure announcing a time of radical change. His great grace was that, though he knew he wasn’t “the one” to bring about the needed changes, he took what steps he could. He spoke out the truth concerning his times and work from God’s perspective. It also meant calling people to prepare their hearts by repenting. And it included actively seeking “the one” who was to come. John recognized Jesus early on as Jesus just started in his mission and ministry as Son of God and Savior.
We, too, live in a time of great change. We can learn from John the Baptist by seeing our world through God’s eyes, repenting and preparing our own hearts, and recognizing Jesus in our midst. He is who we receive in the Eucharist; He is present in the community of believers as we gather in worship; He is also present in the poor and needy, as well as the lonely and hurting.
As we lift our eyes in prayer, don’t let Jesus pass us in the street.