Fr Marco Lazzaron
n this third Sunday of Advent, the Gospel presents to us some characteristics of John the Baptist. We want to focus on two of them.
First of all, the courage to always speak the truth. Everyone went to John because they were drawn by his witness. He was “attractive” because he was faithful to the mission the Lord had given him. We can say that John was great because he was able to fight for the truth even to the point of death. John had the courage to say “harsh things to the Pharisees, the doctors of the law, the priests. He did not tell them: ‘My dear ones, behave yourselves.’ No. He simply said to them: ‘Brood of vipers.’” With those who came near to control and observe, but never with an open heart, he went straight to the point. In doing so, he risked his life, yes, but he remained faithful. “Certainly, if a parish priest today were to say in a Sunday homily, ‘Among you there are some who are a brood of vipers’, his bishop would receive letters of shock: Remove this priest who insults us” (Pope Francis). In reality, John was harsh with those who had no intention of changing but were there only to listen and to find grounds to accuse him.
Quite different, however, was John’s attitude toward those sincere people who came to him with an open heart and a desire to change their lives. He used that gradual approach which is fundamental in the journey of faith. He did not say, go and sell everything, but rather, give part of your possessions; do not insult, do not mistreat, do not demand more than what is right. To “baptize all these sinners,” he asked only for a small step forward, because he knew that with that step the Lord would take care of the rest!
There is another aspect of John that almost surprises us: although he was strong and confident in his vocation, he too had his doubts. The Gospel tells us that John “began to doubt” while in prison. Indeed, John was expecting a Jesus clothed differently—a saviour and a liberator dressed with signs of glory and power, and not with the signs of poverty and weakness. How many times can we also find ourselves doubting! We doubt God’s love when we suffer or see our loved ones suffer. We doubt when we do not receive what we ask for. Others make us doubt when they tell us that our God does not listen to us. We doubt our mission when we do not see the hoped-for fruits, when we see that people do not want to change. Thus, as the holy doctor Giuseppe Moscati writes: “Love the truth; show yourself as you are, without fear, without regard for the opinions of others. And if the truth costs you persecution, accept it; and if it brings torment, endure it. And if for the truth you must sacrifice yourself and your life, be strong in the sacrifice”.