That quirky, crazy, anti-status quo saint know as John 'the baptist,' is like an old fashioned movie, a thing of the past, a relic of bygone times, both viewable, and powerful in their illumination of how far we have drifted from good 'old fashioned' Christian Life.
The baptist of honey, locust...and, oh yeah, repentance! http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm
You see, the baptist is famous for saying, 'He must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30).' And in the Latin translation 'I' is rendered 'ego.' John the baptist, moreover, preached a baptism of repentance for sins, beginning with the greatest of American sins: superfluous, unbalanced, destructive, anti-social, vainglorious pride. As American's point toward political 'saviors' in the current President, and economic 'saviors' in stimulus and entitlement, and social 'saviors' in liberties and freedoms such as 'gay' marriage, abortion, contraception, euthanasia, and social moral relativism, John simply pointed to Jesus--the antithesis of these aforementioned 'prideful' alternatives in the selflessness of the Cross and the unchanging (unpopular) Truth of the gospel.
Faithful Catholics, like John, are, quite often, counter cultural by necessity! http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=48877
St John the Baptist is also attributed with saying, 'A man can lay claim only to what is given him from heaven (John 3:27).' Far too many Catholics, through vote and participation, lay claim to the Divine Authority to decide when one should be born (abortion) and when one should die (euthanasia). Far too many Catholics, through vote and participation, lay claim to the Divine Authority to define marriage, by redefining marriage between a man and a woman (God's design, and, if you haven't noticed, nature's blueprint!) as between anyone of any gender whatsoever.
A prime target of progressive America, traditional (true) marriage! http://www.thomasmore.org/key-issues/restoring-family-values
To paraphrase the Baptist, he also said, 'I am not the Bridegroom, I am his friend (Please read John 3:22-33).' He also said, paraphrased, 'When I hear him approach, I am happy.' Besides preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins, he was the forerunner of Christ, always looking for Christ, always pointing toward Christ. John found no solace in looks, fashion, popular society, popular opinion, popular trends, position, pleasure, ego, politics; his only joy was the face and friendship of Jesus his Lord and Savior.
John 3:22-33, a story of faithful friendship: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A22-33&version=MSG
Sadly, through reflection on an American Catholic voter record which, in the past two Presidential elections, supported the culture of death, gay marriage, and class warfare--solely for personal economic gain (how's that working?)--coinciding with an imbalance of Catholics void of the confessional, while still receiving the Eucharist without discomfort, one can only wonder if many professing Catholics really are the friend of Jesus.
And if they heard his voice, or saw his face, would they experience joy?
Agree? tranz4mation@comcast.net
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