Welcome to Day 2 of Lent and our reflections.  If you'd like to receive this transcript by email, go here. 

A Reflection on John 1:19-34

“Who are you?” (v 19b)

There is something different about John the Baptist.  It couldn’t escape the notice of the Pharisees.  This strange man drew big crowds to the Jordan River, so they sent messengers to ask him: “Who are you?”  They were confused by who this man could possibly be: he is obviously anointed for some great work of God. And in their pride, they demanded answers, perhaps in an attempt to keep up the façade of control.  The result is a self-imposed spiritual blindness.

We all have wounds that hinder our own ability to see.  Some we know about, but refuse to acknowledge.  Others we may not even realize are there; we know them only by their fruits: bitterness and resentment, vanity, pride, gluttony and addiction, jealousy, sloth.  Sometimes, like the Pharisees, we are blinded by our own righteousness:  we turn the spiritual life into a checklist, a goal to be met, an outcome to control.  Our sins, disordered desires, and pride cloud our eyes and keep us from seeing Jesus.

It is time to ask ourselves: what is hindering my ability to see?  What is clouding my vision?  When John saw Jesus, he was able to see Him as He really is, to see the Spirit descend upon Him. May the Spirit descend into our hearts and show us the places where we need to be healed, so that we can truly see the Lamb of God.  We trust in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, all flesh shall see it together.” (Is 40:5)

Come, Holy Spirit, remove the scales from my eyes.  I invite you into my heart to show me what is a hindrance.  Come and bring Jesus, the divine Physician, to heal my wounds and open my eyes.  I will do my part by letting go and releasing the sin and control I cling to.  May I recognize the glory of Jesus as John did.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.