“He Came for Testimony” Advent Reflection by Katie Delaney, Lasallian Volunteers & Good Shepherd Volunteers


In this annual series, current and former volunteers reflect on the Advent Gospels and the Four Pillars of Faith-Based Service: Social Justice, Simplicity, Community and Spirituality. Presented by Catholic Apostolate Center and Catholic Volunteer Network.


Third Week of Advent

Reflection by: Katie Delaney, Former Lasallian Volunteer & Former Good Shepherd Volunteer

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him. (John 1:6-8)

The first word that comes to mind upon reading this Gospel is humility. In response to questions from the priests and Levites, John explains that he baptizes not as Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, but as “the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord’.” John is so quick to point out this distinction, so quick to give credit where he feels credit is due. Reflecting back to my years of service as a Lasallian Volunteer and Good Shepherd Volunteer, I think I could have used a slice of this humble pie. How often did I consider myself “the light,” taking on the responsibility to serve, or save, the communities I entered? How often did I fail to see the parts of myself that needed saving, and that this saving work was never really mine to begin with? 

Thanks to time, perspective, and most of all, the grace of God and those I have encountered, I continue to be humbled – moved beyond a sense of my self-righteousness, and into a space of more authentic listening, learning, and loving. These moments, in all their discomfort and vulnerability, become my testimony; through the gift of growth, I can “testify to the light.”


Katie Delaney (bottom right) serving with Good Shepherd Volunteers in Chile, delivering a Namaste blessing
with the Raìces de la Paz (Roots of Peace) women’s group she helped facilitate.

Focus on Community: In this Gospel, the questions posed by John’s community invite him to name who he is and what he is about. Community often provides this challenge and gift – holding a mirror up to our past, present, and future and reflecting how all these complexities meld and meet the world. How do your communities help you own your truth? In community, how can we help each other “testify to the light” within?

Service Suggestion: Spend some time reflecting upon someone in your community who has helped you grow more into who you aspire to be. Write a note of appreciation, take them out to coffee, or find some unique way to affirm them and acknowledge the influence they have had. 

Prayer: Our Power to Bless One Another by John O’Donohue (Excerpt from To Bless the Space Between Us) 

In the parched deserts of postmodernity a blessing can be like the discovery of a fresh well. It would be lovely if we could rediscover our power to bless one another. I believe each of us can bless. When a blessing is invoked, it changes the atmosphere. Some of the plenitude flows into our hearts from the invisible neighborhood of loving kindness. In the light and reverence of blessing, a person or situation becomes illuminated in a completely new way. In a dead wall a new window opens, in dense darkness a path starts to glimmer, and into a broken heart healing falls like morning dew. It is ironic that so often we continue to live like paupers though our inheritance of spirit is so vast. The quiet eternal that dwells in our souls is silent and subtle; in the activity of blessing it emerges to embrace and nurture us. Let us begin to learn how to bless one another. Whenever you give a blessing, a blessing returns to enfold you.


– Katie Delaney


Looking for more reflections like this one? We invite you to download our Advent Reflection Guide in its entirety, available by clicking here. You can find an extensive library of Advent resources by visiting the Catholic Apostolate Center website – click here.

Posted by
Categories: Uncategorized

Related Stories

Fresh Faces: AmeriCorps Orientations 2012
Good Eats: Christ House
A Different Route to and through Service: Head as Well as Heart
A Day in the Life of a Cabrini Missioner