Jesus said to the Jews: "If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true” (Jn 5:31-32).

John the Baptist was the forerunner and prophet who testified to the Jews that the long-awaited Messiah spoken of by the prophets of old had come. "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (Jn 1:29). Through John's humility, he turned the peoples' attention from himself to Jesus, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals" (Lk 3:16). John the Baptist was indeed the greatest prophet, but the hardened religious leaders during that time would not accept that Christ was the Messiah. Unfortunately, there are still those today who deny Jesus is the Messiah sent to save the world.

Some of the prominent concerns that come up within my Christian circles ask whether we are evangelizing enough and what we can do better to bring people to the faith? Are we preparing the way for people to know and follow Jesus? Are we the burning and shining lamp guiding those back to the truth? As Christians, we are all similarly called by God as John the Baptist to go out and point the people towards Christ.

Reflect upon your call to give testimony to the Father in Heaven and share the love of Christ with everyone you encounter today.