What was it that you expected to see when
you went out into the wilderness? . . . A prophet? Yes, and something more, I
tell you, than a prophet. The role of a prophet is to predict future events, not to
exhibit them. John is therefore more than a prophet, since he shows by actually
pointing out him whom, as prophet, he foretold.
If then we say that the name of prophet is not good enough for him, what
shall we be able to say that is worthy of him? Listen: It is of him it is
written: See where I am sending an angel of mine, to make the way ready for
my coming! In reality "angel" means one who announces. Then it is
with good reason that John, sent to announce the supreme Judge, receives the
name of "angel", for his name should not be unworthy of his mission.
It is a great name, truly, but his life was not less great.
And yet you too, if you will, can deserve to
receive this great name. Each one of you according to your capacity, according
to the measure of grace which you have
received from God, can divert your neighbor from a shameful life and exhort him
to live well, reminding those who go astray that there is an eternal recompense
and eternal pains of hell: when by your words, you thus announce the truths of
faith, you certainly fulfil the role of an "angel". And no one can
say: "I should not know how to warn another, I am not capable of
instructing others. " Employ all your abilities, for, having neglected
what has been given you, you run the risk of being thrown into torments. The
servant in the parable had but one talent, which, instead of using, he chose to
hide. If then you think you have made some progress, strive to lead others to
do the same; let the desire not to walk alone in the way of God grow in you he whose heart has the grace to hear the call of divine love does not refuse to
give to his neighbor the alms of a good word. Think how rapidly time passes,
meditate on the severity of the Judge who is to come. It is he, the sovereign
Judge, on whom you should fix your heart; it is he whom you must show to the
souls of those around you. In this manner, if you do not fail to announce his
coming as far as means allow, you will deserve to be counted by him, like John,
in the number of his "angels. "
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