John the Baptist gives a sincere self-testimony which is integral to his mission: 'to be but a Voice crying out in the wilderness: make straight the way of the Lord.' Because of his personal life of holiness and integrity, his prophetic message rings clear: "among you stands one whom you do not know; and although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal." He brings to completion the long waiting of the prophets of the Old Testament. In a way he is only the shadow to the true light, which illumines the world - though it is his prerogative to introduce the Light of the World! His followers would leave him to follow the Way, the Truth and the Light - Jesus Christ.

John is dead certain about his singular vocation; born to show the way and then disappear from view! Like John the Baptist, there are many persons we have encountered and still do who show us the Truth, along the road we are travelling. Sometimes they could be just chance acquaintances - we meet and disappear from each other's view. But the Way ahead is clearer for us.