In the Gospel reading John the Baptist has a very clear idea of the purpose of his ministry: "I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he (Jesus) might be revealed to Israel." (Jn 1: 31) This idea of revealing Jesus continues the theme of revelation encountered in the feasts of the the Epiphany and of the Baptism of the Lord. It seems that God's purpose and presence is not always clear to us. We are bogged down in our own concerns. The use of natural reason and Scripture (Epiphany), the sacraments (Baptism) and prophets (John the Baptist) are all ways in which our eyes can be opened to recognise Jesus for who he is. Our hearts need to be, with the help of prayer Scripture and good works, purified of selfishness and greed: "Blessed are the pure in hear for they will see God." (Mtt 5: 1) Let us pray in 2017 that we are not like those in the parable of the sower of whom it is said: "As for what is sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing." (Mtt 13: 22) We need to be like those who have the seed sown on good soil: "this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." (Mtt 13: 23)
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