There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
Today we meet another John—the one often referred to as John the Baptist. Although he is distinct from the author of this Gospel, his role is pretty important. John the Baptist is presented as a man sent from God, appointed to fulfill a crucial mission: to bear witness to the light, who is Jesus Christ.
In a world longing for truth, authenticity, and meaning, the concept of being a witness holds tremendous relevance. John the Baptist is a great model for us, demonstrating the importance of testifying about the light that has entered our lives. His purpose was not to draw attention to himself but to direct others to the source of true illumination, the light of the world—Jesus Christ.
As followers of Christ, we, too, are called to be witnesses. And he has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us. Just before he ascended into heaven, Jesus told his followers that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them, and they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (see Acts 1:8). They took the Gospel to the farthest corners of the globe.
We are required to do the same, being his witnesses throughout the world. To be a witness means more than just speaking with words. It involves living out our faith in a way that reflects the character of Christ. Our actions and attitudes should be a testament to the presence of the light within us, which, in turn, will dispel the darkness around us.
We must note that, like John the Baptist, we are not the light ourselves. Like the moon does not have any light of its own but reflects the light of the sun, we too don't shine any light of our own but reflect the light of the Son — SON. The closer we are to Jesus, the brighter we will shine.
As we reflect on these verses today, may we be encouraged to embrace our calling as witnesses of the light. In doing so, we will participate in the divine mission of spreading the Gospel and advancing God's kingdom on earth. We cannot have any purpose in life that is greater than this.
God bless you.