Sometimes we meet people along this journey of life who are unforgettable and leave a deep impression upon us. I think back on an elderly priest who entered my life when I was a newly ordained priest. He was retired and lived in the rectory where I was assigned. And where he had been pastor for many years. His hobby was fixing old, antique wind up clocks. And over the years, people had brought him innumerable broken clocks to fix. The problem was they rarely got them back. His rooms at the rectory were filled with clocks and clock paraphernalia. Every day he would tinker for a while but the older he got the less productive he became. And I’m sure he died surrounded by all those clocks.
But interestingly enough, people never seemed to be angry about it. I realize in retrospect it was more important for them that he was kind and generous, that he was sincere about wanting to help them out, and that in his lifetime He was Christlike and compassionate and he truly led them to Jesus.
His name was Fr. Bill and he is the one who came to mind today as I was reflecting on John the Baptist – for they were similar in so many ways. Fr. Bill was not polished and well dressed; he was scruffy and coarse; he was not a monsignor nor a prelate, but a local pastor in a small rural church. He had trouble with the changes in Vatican II and He thought I was sacrilegious for taking kids to see Jesus Christ Superstar! But it never detracted from the relationship which we were developing over the few months I lived with him. His dedication, zeal and faith taught me much about being a priest and that has lasted up until today.
John the Baptist had a similar impact on people. In his own scruffiness and crude appearance, people saw His faith and his zeal and were drawn through him to Jesus as HE appeared in their midst.
John of course is one of the central figures of this Advent Season we find ourselves in. John’s purpose was and is to prepare us: to draw us closer to Christ, to deepen the longing in our hearts; and to open our eyes when Jesus walks into our midst. “A voice cries out in the desert; prepare the way of the Lord.”
John did that in his own unique way, as did Fr. Bill in my life and the lives of so many others. May we all go forth, announcing the coming of the Lord into life. And may our presence make that difference in the lives of others.