Each of us is created with a unique set of gifts. Identifying how to apply those gifts to their highest and best purpose is a challenge for us all. Even those of us with the most determined of spirits and mental clarity are exposed to doubts and fears.
John the Baptist was blessed with unique gifts that none of us possess, but there is much for us to learn from the way he used those gifts. The Baptist fulfilled his purpose in a fearless manner, providing a model of courage we can aspire to emulate as Martin Luther King and Pope John Paul II demonstrated centuries later.
The Bible introduces us to the life and purpose of John the Baptist in Chapter 1 of Luke’s Gospel. The Angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that his old and formerly barren wife Elizabeth is about to bear him a son as God’s answer to Zechariah’s prayer.
Zechariah is instructed to name the boy John, then Gabriel goes on to describe the boy’s impending life.
“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit of Elijah, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
(As an interesting side-note, Zechariah’s reaction to Gabriel and this amazingly good news was fear and doubt. “How can I be sure of this?” he inquires. Gabriel shows no compassion for this disbelief and renders the old man mute until John’s birth, presumably the time Zechariah would be sure. While this punishment might seem harsh, it does demonstrate that there are consequences to fear and doubt.)
We next encounter John when he is in Elizabeth’s womb. His mother gets a surprise visit from the Virgin Mary who is pregnant with the baby Jesus. Luke tells us that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby (John) leaped in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. At that moment, the Catholic Church tells us John’s Original Sin was washed away. This is an incredibly significant event. It made John the 4th of only 5 humans in recorded history to take their first breath without Original Sin (Adam, Eve and Mary preceded him and only Jesus has followed him). Being born without Original Sin clearly gives John a distinct advantage in living a life of Fearless Faith, but his example shows us what is possible.
As final evidence that the example of John the Baptist can show us how to lead a life of purpose that was pleasing to God, I offer the epitaph provided by none other than Jesus himself who said after the death of his cousin:
“I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John.”
John carried out his mission in a very unusual way. He acted with complete disregard for earthly comforts, living in the wilderness, clothed by camel-skins and sustaining himself on a diet of wild honey and locusts.
John also paid no regard to political correctness. His theme of repenting for sins was often pointed specifically at the elite. He referred to the privileged religious and social classes as a “brood of vipers” and encouraged “he who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food, let him do likewise”. John preached that it was necessary to “bear fruit that befits repentance”, beginning with the practice of justice and mercy.
John was dutifully true to his calling, baptizing multitudes in the River Jordan and preparing a mass of Israelis to be receptive to the message they would soon be hearing from Jesus. He was the ultimate warm-up act, setting the mood for the main event.
Ultimately, the Baptist’s actions proved to be without the instinct for the earthly preservation of his own life. He called out Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for divorcing his wife to marry the wife of his half-brother. Those spoken words ultimately saw John arrested, imprisoned and beheaded.
In the Gospel of St. John, The Baptist asked Jesus in a message sent from his prison cell “Are you he who is to come”. The Gospel tells us that Jesus’ reply sent the Baptist to his death a happy man.
For those of us born with Original Sin and who’s calling is less documented, discerning our purpose and identifying how to apply our gifts is more of a challenge. There are recent examples, however, of people who have chosen paths similar to that of John the Baptist and displayed courageous execution of their faith mission. I will briefly cite two:
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. helped make ready a people prepared for the Lord with his message that sacred power is greater than social injustice. Some of his more famous calls to action include the following statements:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
“The time is always right to do what is right”
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
Like the Baptist, MLK’s faith without regard to fear lead to his premature death, but also prepared a path for justice worthy of great sacrifice.
Similarly, St. Pope John Paul II’s actions led to the collapse of oppressive regimes in his beloved Poland. Forced into manual labor at age 19 after the Nazi invasion, he participated in an organization saving Jews from the Holocaust. He spent 33 years in the priesthood promoting Christianity in a Communist State before his election to the Papacy, then used the rallying cry “Be not afraid” to inspire the Poles to finish the job.
Lech Walesa was duly inspired. He formed the union “Solidarity” which French Political Scientist Alain Besancon famously claimed gave the Poles back “the private ownership of their tongues.”
I am not here to suggest that any of us are called to the lofty mission of St. John the Baptist, Martin Luther King, or St. Pope John Paul II. Nor am I suggesting that being murdered or shot is a prerequisite for faithful duty to our calling.
What I do believe is that when we discern our calling, we should pursue it with a fearless passion. There will inevitably be consequences to this effort, some of which may be uncomfortable or unappealing.
Yet, isn’t fulfilling our highest purpose the thing that truly matters?
I contend that the benefits of a fearless pursuit will always outweigh a fear and doubt laden approach.
Our Faith deserves our best. “Be not afraid.”
