Now at that time a man went about among the Jews in strange garments; for he had put pelts on his body everywhere where it was not covered with his own hair; indeed to look at he was like a wild man. He came to the Jews and summoned them to freedom, saying: "God hath sent me, that I may show you the way of the Law, wherein ye may free yourselves from many holders of power. And there will be no mortal ruling over you, only the Highest who hath sent me." And when the people had heard this, they were joyful. And there went after him all Judæa, that lies in the region round Jerusalem. And he did nothing else to them save that he plunged them into the stream of the Jordan and dismissed them, instructing them that they should cease from evil works, and [promising] that there would [then] be given them a ruler who would set them free and subject to them all that is not in submission; but no one of whom we speak (?), would himself be subjected. Some reviled, but others got faith. (Flavius Josephus, Bello Judaico)

Flavius Josephus was born in 37AD and died in 101. He was a leader in the Jewish war of independence (66-73), but became an apologist for Roman rule. His account of John the Baptist, started above, is considered the most credible secular source on the prophet.

"Some reviled, but others got faith." There are religious leaders who, if I have not quite reviled, I have certainly disdained. Yet others have found the same men (and all are male who I have in mind) inspiring. Many have been persuaded by the same preaching I have rejected.

I might have disdained St. Paul or would have given him little more than grudging respect. I probably would have smiled indulgently regarding John the Baptist. I am probably more Sadducee than Pharisee. How might I have responded to Jesus?

Dear God, help me to listen for your word regardless of its packaging. Help me to put aside my expectations and prejudices to recognize and respond to your truth.