It is getting closer to Holy week and Easter and the image that John chose to point his disciples to follow Jesus is one that I have been pondering. My family have been watching Lambing Live on BBC at the moment following the life of a Cumbrian farming family in the lambing season. Seeing lambs has really brought that saying of John the Baptist to mind.
The section of John's Gospel where we read these words of the Baptist we begin chapter 1 with the meditation on who Jesus is: the Incarnate Word. we also see the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus. He is the fore-runner. The one who was preparing the way for Jesus, indeed the one preparing the way for people to come to Jesus! I have always been inspired by John. He was a man who saw his role clearly. He had a very clear role in life to point people to Jesus. As a Christian leader I have that same purpose.
Lent is a time of preparation and I have been preparing myself as well as leading others through Lent. In this time I have been reflecting on my own ministry. What is my calling to, how am I fulfilling that calling and what are the next steps in my discipleship? These are question for us all!
I received an email a few days ago from my Abbot in Rostrevor to let me know that another oblate has completed her time as a novice and made oblation today. It recalled my own oblation on 22nd July 2010. At that time I took the name of John-Baptist to remind me to always examine my motives and hold before me in ministry the concept, as I look to Jesus, 'He must increase, and I must decrease.'
Today as I recollect in this blog I want others to know that same calling; to be the bearers of that same hope; and to celebrate the reality of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
