Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

The Third Sunday In Advent (December 15, 2002)

Suggested Emphasis

"Who are you?"

Salesian Perspective

John the Baptist had the perfect opportunity to pass himself off as someone great. But he didn't. Instead, when asked, "Who are you," he first told who he was not. He denied being the Messiah, Elijah or the prophet. When pressed further he finally revealed his identity as inextricably bound to his mission: "I am a voice in the desert, crying out: Make straight the way of the Lord!" He had a clear understanding that his role was to testify to the light, not be the Light.

There are times in life when people suppose us to be someone we are not. They may see us as kind or generous when we are quite the contrary. They may think us intelligent and wise but we know better. Yet, the temptation is to let people believe these good things about us. We may even come to believe we are the person they mistake us to be. What they see can be so much better than what we know to be the truth.

In the Introduction, St. Francis de Sales speaks of this mistaken identity when he describes false devotion: "…many persons clothe themselves with holy devotion and the world believes that they are truly devout and spiritual whereas they are in fact nothing but copies and illusions of devotion." (Introduction to the Devout Life Part I, Chapter 1)

John was not afraid to say who he was and who he was not, nor should we be. To recognize who we really are is the basis of joy and freedom of spirit in the Christian life. Like Mary we rejoice that He who is mighty has done great things for us. We recognize both our emptiness and the generosity of God to fill up what is lacking within us. We are free to be our real selves and no longer feel compelled to put on a good, but dishonest front.

In a world where deception is common place and people pretend to be who they are not, we are called to live in the truth and to let people see the real me. And who is the real me? Scripture reminds me that I am a child of God made in the image and likeness of God. When I clearly understand this as my true identity, I will no longer need to appear other than I am. I will be confident in who I am and be motivated to become more clearly the person I was created to be.

Rev. Richard Morse, OSFS, is a member of the Toledo-Detroit Province of the Oblates of
St. Francis de Sales. He is pastor of St. Anthony of Padua parish in Manteca, California.