Acts 13:13-25 / John 13:16-20
It is the mission of all Christians to proclaim the Good News of salvation and that Jesus Christ is THE Saviour.
And Christian leaders, whether cleric or laity, have to keep this in mind in the pastoral ministry, whether it is preaching or service or mission.
In the 1st reading , we heard a sermon of St. Paul, the great missionary of the early church.
As he recalled the history of salvation to his listeners, he began from the time of slavery in Egypt and then he mentioned a person who was prominent in the unfolding of the coming of Christ.
It was John the Baptist who heralded the coming of Jesus and it was he who proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel.
And before he ended his ministry, John the Baptist said this: I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.
St. Paul did not say it but for him John the Baptist was a model for him when it comes to preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In fact John the Baptist is a model for all Christian preachers and leaders, as well as for missionaries and those serving in ministries.
John the Baptist knew he was just a servant and he cannot be greater than his Master; he was just a messenger and his task is to deliver the message and not to point to himself or to get people to follow him.
May we too be servants of our Master Jesus Christ and that we focus on proclaiming Him as the Saviour. Without Him we can do nothing of any value.