1) The document focuses on John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Jesus' coming. 2) John the Baptist lived his whole life focused on Jesus' advent and dedicated himself to preparing others for Jesus' message. 3) The document encourages the reader to imitate John the Baptist's asceticism and willingness to speak difficult truths, even at personal cost, in order to genuinely live for and dedicate their lives to following Christ.

1. Advent
John the
Baptist
A Reflection
by Robert P. Maloney,
C.M.

2. A rich cast of Advent characters
appears on the gospel stage.
In this presentation we focus on
John the Baptist.

3. Jesus called John a “brightly shining
light” and declares that he was the
greatest person history had ever seen.

4. John focused his whole life on the coming
of Jesus - the Advent secret.
He realized that his all-consuming vocation
was to prepare the way of the Lord.

5. As Vincentians we dedicate our
whole lives to following Christ the
Evangelizer of the poor.

6. We seek to imitate his five missionary virtues:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Simplicity
Humility
Meekness
Mortification
Zeal

7. Do we meditate on the person of Jesus daily?
Do we see him in the starving people, the
street people, the victims of violence in our
world?

8. John the Baptist’s life makes it very clear that the
following of Christ involves a demanding
asceticism. He knew how to speak the truth
even when it cost dearly.

9. St. John the Baptist With the Scribes and Pharisees
by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1665

10. John the Baptist makes it very clear that we will
live genuinely for Christ only if we are willing
to die for him.

11. For us, John’s asceticism might be:
• Rising early to praise God
• Employing moderation and a critical sense in
using television and other media
• Withholding divisive words and negative
criticism
• Working hard for the poor

12. For the full text of this letter and Fr. Maloney’s
other writings visit the
Vincentian Encyclopedia
Adapted from text by
Gail Rieth, RSM
c. 2006