Most of us are—and maybe the better question to ask is “what kind of messenger am I?” In this second Sunday of Advent the Gospel of Mark presents us with John the Baptist. A true messenger. John knew who he was, and who he was not—he wasn’t the Messiah—John also knew who he was called to be and what his vocation in life was and then he set out to be that person. He was a martyr according to the Church. He was a messenger sent by God to “make straight the path” and to “prepare the way” for Christ so that others may hear Him and His Good News of Salvation.
In order for us to be an effective messengers, especially of God, we need to know what our vocation in life is: am I a priest, a religious sister or brother, am I a father, a mother, am I a Catholic Christian? Do I know what my vocation entails and am I faithful to living it out? Too often in the Church when we hear the word “vocation” we immediately think of a religious sister or brother or a priest. But sometimes we fail to include in that list the vocations of married life—mother and father; a vocation for family—all born to it—siblings and parents, aunts and uncles and more; a vocation for the single life—respecting the self and being actively part of a family or community; a Christian—and living out all the virtues of this life amid our human condition—meaning that I am not perfect but that I don’t give up trying to work towards perfection.
One of the easiest ways to fulfill our personal vocation is to constantly repeat and reflect on the statement of John the Baptist: “One mightier than I is coming after me…” And realize that I am not responsible for the harvesting of Salvation for others but I am responsible for planting the seeds of salvation—by my words and actions. Christ will do the rest, for He is the One that is “mightier than I.” I just need to know my vocation and to live it out as faithfully as I can, with the grace of God. Be a messenger for Christ—one of Hope and Charity, one of Compassion and Peace, one of Truth—His!