A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

There was one named John sent by God, who came as a witness to testify to the light so that through him all might believe-but only testify to the light, for he himself was not the light.

When the Temple authorities sent some priests and Levites to John to ask, “Who are you?”, he did not refuse to answer, but answered openly, “I am not the Messiah.” “Well, then,” they asked, “are you Elijah?” “I am not Elijah,” he answered. “Are you the Prophet?” “I am not,” he answered.

Finally they said to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you have to say for yourself?” John, quoting Isaiah the prophet, said, “I am ‘a voice in the desert, crying: Make straight the way for the Sovereign One!’ ”

Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him further: “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water. There is one among you whom you do not recognize-the one who is to come after me-the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.” This happened in Bethany, across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The Good News as spoken through John.