What Is Our Voice Crying For?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

December 11, 2011

Today’s gospel introduces John to us as a man sent by God. His mission is to bear testimony, to testify about Jesus, the Light of the world so all might believe in him. The primary task of this man sent by God is to tell the world that among us is the Light, the Messiah, the Liberator. To his credit, John is doing the work assigned to him by God to do. His message, his lifestyle and his baptism of repentance are spreading throughout Jerusalem and its environs. The message of John has caught all the Jewish people by surprise. The Old Testament prophets had foretold of the coming of the Messiah. And this John is acting like him. So, the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” “Are you Elijah?” “Are you the prophet?” To all these questions John replies “No?” But the priests and the Levities are not pleased with his answer, so they ask again, “Who are you, so that we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” John finally reveals who he is: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.” When a prophet says “Make straight the way of the Lord,” he is saying that the Lord is coming, prepare the road.

John the Baptist is a model of humility. He does not assume who he is not. He does not claim to be the Christ or Elijah or even a prophet. He simply calls himself the voice of one crying out in the wilderness. He insists that he is only a voice, that he is not the Light, the message but the messenger. His humility is amazing. No wonder Jesus says, “Among all those born of women none is greater than John the Baptist.” John says he is not the host at the banquet, that he is only the doorman. But this doorman has a message: “Make straight the way of the Lord.” This means go to the garage of your life, empty out the junks that have taken lots of space and create more room for the King of glory, Jesus Christ. 

John the Baptist is not the light but he points to the light. He is not the Christ, but he points to Christ. He is not the Lamb of God, but he points to him. He is not the one to baptize with water and Holy Spirit, but he points to him. John the Baptist is only a voice. His voice calls us today to stop, think, reflect and see those areas of our lives that needs to be leveled up so that Jesus can ride smoothly into our hearts and lives. John’s voice speaks of repentance, of conversion, of new life, of renewal, of reawakening. His voice calls us to prepare adequately for the coming of Jesus Christ into the world and into our hearts and lives. 

Dearest beloved, John the Baptist is the cousin of Jesus Christ. He is a messenger, a forerunner of Jesus Christ. But he is not the only messenger. We too are messengers of the Lord. We are the Lord’s representatives on earth. We are his voice too. Since we are his voice too, what then is our voice crying out for? 

As Christ’s messengers, our voice should cry out for love wherever there is hatred. Our voice should cry out for peace wherever there is strife and war. As Christ’s messengers, our voice should cry out for healing wherever there is injury. Our strong voice should bring down  the walls of pride and prejudice and in its place sow unity and common good. As forerunners of Jesus Christ, our voice should cry out for light wherever there is darkness. Our voice should cry out for liberation wherever there is unspeakable suffering. Our voice should cry out for patience wherever there is wrongdoing. As the Lord’s representatives, our voice should cry out for justice wherever there is oppression and suppression. Our voice should cry out for fairness and equity wherever there is inequality. Our voice should cry out for blessing and favor wherever is a curse. Our voice should cry out for the dignity of human life wherever attempts are made to violate it. Our voice should cry out for compassion wherever God’s children suffer. Our voice should cry out for salvation wherever people perish and languish. As messengers of Jesus Christ, our voice should cry out JESUS! JESUS!! JESUS!!! 

That Name is a strong and mighty tower!

That name is the shelter for all!

That Name only has the power to save!

That Name brings healing!

That Name brings the demons, evil spirit and the devil to their kneels

That Name is our safety!

That Name is our salvation!

That Name is our peace!

That Name is our joy!

That Name is our security!

That Name is our protection!

That Name is our liberation!

That Name is our deliverance!

That Name is our shield and sure refuge!

That Name is our miracle!

That Name is our blessing!

That Name is our favor!

That Name is our prosperity and growth!

That Name is our breakthrough!

That Name is our life!

That Name is our forgiveness and mercy!

That Name is our everything!