What, Jesus asked the people looking for John the Baptist, had they gone out to the desert to see? "A reed shaken by the wind?" Someone who shifted his position with every passing fashion, someone who just said what people wanted to hear? No. People went out to hear someone who spoke the truth without fear or favour, who was not afraid to say what needed to be said even if people were not too happy with what they heard, even when it pointed directly at them. Did they go out to see "a man clothed in fine garments"? Someone who was rich and famous, who lived in the lap of luxury? No, they went out to see a prophet, someone called to convey to the people a message from God. But John is even more than that. His special role is to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. And yet - "he who is the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." It is truly humbling to think that we are in a way more privileged than John who knew Jesus personally. And we can ask, What do people see in us? Do they see a reed shaking and bending with every breeze of fashion? Do they see people who set great store by status, luxury and an obsession with the material things of this world? Or do they see people who fearlessly and consistently proclaim the Way of Christ in all they say and do?