Mt 11,2-11.
By this stage in Matthew’s gospel the reader knows that Jesus, by his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Chs. 5-7), and the Mission discourse (Ch 10), has established his credentials as a preacher and teacher, and in his ten miracles (Chs. 8-9), reminiscent of the 10 plagues/signs of Moses in Egypt, as miracle worker, like Moses.
John the Baptist who is imprisoned by Herod Antipas of Galilee for rebuking him publicly for taking his brother Philip’s wife, begins to wonder who Jesus is. Is he the Messiah Israel has been waiting for? Why is John questioning who Jesus is? Is the prison experience weakening him and his faith? Has the compassionate Jesus, merciful in word and deed, whom John hears about in prison, got what it takes to be the Messiah? Is he tough enough for the task that lies ahead? Perhaps, John sends his disciples for their own sake to be convinced by the claims from Jesus’ own mouth that he is the Messiah. The answer which Jesus gives them should be enough to convince John. He will know that Jesus is fulfilling the promises in Isaiah, 29,18-19; 35,5-6, which speak of restoration of sight, hearing, walk, and the preaching the Good News to the poor (Is 61,1-2). These messianic credentials speak for themselves. In a beatitude, reminiscent of Mt 5.1-12, Jesus appeals to John not to lose faith in his messianic identity.
As the disciples depart Jesus questions the people about John’s identity. John is no vacillator blown by every wind of change. Nor is he dressed in fine clothes suited to a palace? Instead, he is a prophet, but a lot more. He is the promised Elijah heralding the coming of the Messiah and preparing a way for him, as was foretold by the prophet Malachi (Mal. 3,23). Up to now, a person greater than John the Baptist had never been born. And yet John is nothing compared to one of those little ones, the disciples, who believe in Jesus. They, with their relationship and privileged contact with Jesus, have a place in God’s plan of salvation far greater than that of John the Baptist.
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of birth of Jesus in our hearts at Christmas. As John, in his prison, questioned, doubted, and sought reassurance for his faith from Jesus, so for us too, Advent can be a time for questioning and deepening our faith in the Lord.
We live in a secular and reputedly “enlightened” age when mention of God, faith, or religion can be unwelcome or embarrassing, in both public and polite conversation.
As we await the coming of Christ at Christmas, we can ask him to give us the gift of faith, enabling us to see and hear the many things he is doing and saying in our time.
Our own special efforts to witness this Advent to Jesus in word and deeds, and our prayers, can lead others to faith in him.
On this Gaudete Sunday let us rejoice in Lord whose love for us is the sure foundation of our faith, hope and future. Come Lord Jesus. Come.
Father Geoff O’Grady