Today's gospel reading brings helps us share the "moment" a man on his journey recognizes the fulfillment of the journey's purpose. The Baptist sees Jesus as the chosen One. This event amplifies the reality of the way a personal journey evolves in a person's lifetime.
In the few words of John's gospel we see the centerpiece of John the Baptist's ministry, his journey. He has a true encounter with the purpose and end of his journey. The preacher who recognized Jesus earlier in the confined days of their mothers' pregnancy tells us how he did not recognize this young preacher as God's chosen One at first meeting. As the Baptist said: "I confess that I did not recognize him, though the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
So too on our own spiritual journeys, when we are invited by God to hear his call or recognize his power at work in our lives, we may come to a similar moment of awareness. Perhaps there was the moment of grace when the light went on in your mind and heart: "Oh! Now I understand why this or that has occurred in my life. Now I see what I am supposed to be doing."
The Baptist reiterates his experience a second time according to preacher John: "But, as I say, I did not recognize him. The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'When you see the Spirit descent and rest upon someone, it is he who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.'"
Can't we learn from the words of the Baptist that any journey, particularly a spiritual journey of self-discovery is nothing less than an effort to discover God's intention for us? The recognition of the purpose of our personal journey -- perhaps the hopes and expectations for the year 2008 -- will become clear in one of those "this is it" moments. When that happens, we will know that all the prayers, reflections and questions were the meticulous preparations about this special moment. The "traveling" events along our personal journey are signals from God leading us ever more deeply to the heart of who we are, to the very purpose of our being.
The setbacks in life, the loss of a job, the experience of illness, or the pains of loved ones lost -- these are the "signposts" or the "guide posts" that can lead us through our journey. In these often painful moments there happens to be for many the opportunity to discover much of the real hero within ourselves.
The Baptist's final words in this gospel text well express the satisfaction and the inner peace achieved in coming to the moment of encounter with the purpose of his journey: "Now I have seen for myself and have testified 'This is God's chosen One.'"
