“Who are you?” – August 2, 2023

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72; Judges 7:1-18; Acts 3:1-11; John 1:19-28

In the first chapter of the gospel according to John, we hear the glorious words, “In the beginning…”, proclaiming a vision of creation with the Divine at its center.

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came into being through him,

and without him not one thing came into being. (1:1-3)

Sitting with these lines, I appreciate this genesis story. The Word and God are intermingled from the first moment. God and the Word. All things are birthed through God. Without God, nothing is created.

As I look to what follows, light enters the story.

What has come into being in him was life,

and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not overcome it. (1:4-5)

Life is what flows from God. Life and light – warm and inviting to all who are created. That light beckons to us and pierces the darkness. The darkness cannot quench the light and life that emanate from God.

What follows in the gospel of John rests upon those five foundational verses. God and the Word. Creation through God. Light and life. This is the setting into which John the Baptizer walks – clearly proclaiming the message of truth to come. His shouts garner the attention of religious officials – priests and Levites – who come to query John. “Who are you?” they ask. He says, “I am not the Messiah.”

The high holy people are befuddled. John answers in the negative, offering who he is not. The leaders of worship and interpreters of God’s law take another approach, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He answers, “I am not.” The interrogators still have no solid understanding of this odd man or his intentions. “Are you the prophet?” they ask. John answers succinctly, “No.”

At this point, they are frustrated and return to their first question, “Who are you?” They plead for more details. “Let us have an answer for those who sent us.” There are others in power – the Judeans – who are concerned by this upstart baptizing people in the river. The cadre must return with information. Desperate, they ask, “What do you say about yourself?”

John responds, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord.”’

John the Baptist responds to them, quoting the prophet Isaiah, who proclaimed truth to the Israelites who were exiled, imprisoned, and often veering from God’s ways. He was quite cagy in his response, answering the religious people’s questions with the words of one of the greatest prophets.

I am reminded of Jesus’ own interrogations near the end of his life when the authorities demand to know who he is. He often answers questions with questions: “Who do you say that I am?”

“Who are you?” is an interesting question. It is broad, and yet intimate. Perhaps the answer is always the same, and yet always in flux. How do we begin to answer this question when we remember who we are through the lens as being created by, for, and through God? And how do we see and understand the identity of those around us, when we remember that without God, not one thing came into being.

Blessings and peace to you this day,

Katherine+

Questions for Self-Reflection and Daily Challenge: 

Spend 10 minutes reflecting on how you answer the question "Who are you?"

As you feel so moved, meet with a friend or loved one to talk about what comes up for you in this question.