John is the Voice, and Christ is the Word
John is the voice, but the Lord is the Word who was in the beginning. John is the voice that lasts for a
time; from the beginning Christ is the Word who lives for ever.
Take away the word, the meaning, and what is the
voice? Where there is no understanding, there is only a meaningless sound. The
voice without the word strikes the ear but does not build up the heart.
However, let us observe what happens when we
first seek to build up our hearts. When I think about what I am going to say,
the word or message is already in my heart. When I want to speak to you, I look
for a way to share with your heart what is already in mine.
In my search for a way to let this message reach
you, so that the word already in my heart may find place also in yours, I use
my voice to speak to you. The sound of my voice brings the meaning of the word
to you and then passes away. The word which the sound has brought to you is now
in your heart, and yet it is still also in mine.
When the word has been conveyed to you, does not
the sound seem to say: The word ought to grow, and I should diminish? The sound
of the voice has made itself heard in the service of the word, and has gone
away, as though it were saying: My
joy is complete. Let us hold on
to the word; we must not lose the word conceived inwardly in our hearts.
