Who are You?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season : 2nd January*

*Gospel : Jn 1:19-28*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 2:22-28*

*Who are You?*

*1) Who am I?*

The Gospel of the day has this question : *Who are You?*

Even though this question was addressed to John the Baptist, it is very important to apply this question to our own life and to ask *Who am I?*

This appears to be very simple question but this is one of the most difficult questions to answer

Unless we find answer to this question, our life becomes meaningless. 

Answering this question will help us to improve the quality of our life in all levels 

*2) New Year and this question*

Since we are in the beginning of the new year 2023, it is the apt time to reflect about this question

To begin this New Year in a new and effective way, this is one of the best questions to answer and to see our own life and find out our own identity

Answering this question in the beginning of new year will help us to have a right direction to our life 

*3) We have been Called to become the voice of the Lord*

As we are trying to find out our identity, the Gospel tell us that we need to become the voice of the Lord, just like John the Baptist who became the voice of the Lord

Becoming voice of the Lord means, using our voice to communicate what the Lord wants to communicate

Becoming voice of the Lord means  Putting on the heart and mind of the Lord, which help us to speak what the Lord wants to speak in and through us 

Becoming the voice of the Lord is the real identity of a follower of Jesus

*4) Becoming a sincere Person*

Who are You? When this question was asked to John, he didn't give the wrong information about His self 

Even though He was a great person, He said he was a voice crying in the wilderness, and He is unworthy to untie the strap of the Sandals. 

So He give the real identity, in which we see the sincerity of the person 

So our true identity is to become a sincere person. If some one asks us *Who are You?* we must be able to say that I am sincere person. This sincerity must be seen in our life 

So this becomes the real identity of a follower of Jesus 

*5) Who are You?*

Finally we need to answer this question

 Am I a sincere person?

Am I a humble person ? 

Am I a generous person? 

Am I a loving person? 

Am I a service minded person? 

Am I a forgiving person? 

Am I a helping person? 

Am I a praying person? 

Am I a holy person? 

Am I a person of heart? 

Am I a person of emotions? 

Am I a person who understands the pain and sufferings of others? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*