THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Mt. 11:2-11
December 15, 2013
GOSPEL
READING: The Messengers from John
the Baptist
When
John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, “Are you the one who is to
come, or should we look for another?” Jesus
said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the
blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,
the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
As they were going off, Jesus
began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to
see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to
see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in
royal palaces. Then
why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes,
I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Behold,
I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your
way before you.’ Amen, I
say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the
Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
REFLECTION: Checking
One’s Expectations
Every time I will start
my learning sessions, I ask my participants to write down their expectations
and later on, I encourage them to share it openly to the group as I take note
of this one by one. What I do is to let them know that their expectations are
all important to be covered but I also tell them some limitations just in case
we cannot meet all their desired experience. I call this managing my
participant’s expectations.
Much in life, our
expectations are powerful because it creates the reality of what we want to
happen. Let me put a contrast between the use of a thermometer and a
thermostat. On one hand, a thermometer absorbs
and measures the temperature, which is passive in nature while on the other
hand, a thermostat has the power to
adjust the temperature according to the needs of the user.
In the same manner, this
is how our Gospel story unfolded today when the disciples of John asked Jesus
about the fulfillment of the promise of the coming savior. All throughout in this
Gospel passage, one could feel the hesitation and the unbelief of John’s messengers.
In fact, Jesus used the following statements thrice and interchangeably to
testify in behalf of John:
“What did you go out to the desert to see?”
“Then what did you go out to see?”
“Then why did you go
out?”
These disciples were
expecting a different kind of prophet. They were expecting a different kind of
Messiah and they were all judging according to what they see and they have
forgotten to see in eyes of their faith. With all of these false expectations
Jesus responded to them through this:
Go and tell John what you hear and see:
The blind regain their sight, the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the
good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at
me.
Jesus’ way was
not just to look and speak like a Messiah but He lives, loves and leads like
one. It was shown in His life. His miracles and wonders were just a consequence
of His mercy and compassion to the lost, the least and the last. It is actually
an invitation and a challenge for us to partake in this mission of bringing
glad tidings to the poor and sinners.
‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.’
John the
Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Christ and now that John was in prison, it’s
Jesus Who is testifying for him. We can also see here that both of them were
speaking the TRUTH with LOVE or in latin, veritas
cum caritate.
We are all
called to be John the Baptist in our own way of preparing the way for others to
know who Jesus is even if it entails suffering and persecution. And like this Gospel
story, expect that Jesus will testify in our behalf as well. He will speak for us
and He will be on our side most especially in times of trouble and when we are
in need.
REFFLECTION: How can you prepare
the way of the Lord in your life? How can you prepare people around you to
receive the Lord in their lives?
a.
At home?
b.
In your workplace?
c.
At school?
d.
In your community?
PRAYER: “Lord Jesus, use me to
testify for your love. Use my expectations to create great things for you and
your people. Use my time, talent and treasure to bring glory to your name.
Amen.”
ABOUT THE SHARER:
JC LIBIRAN is a lay-missionary, speaker, facilitator and author of “Byahe
ni Juan: Life Lessons I Learned From Riding a Jeepney”. He is the Director for
Campus Missions of the Light of Jesus Family (www.lightfam.com). You may
contact him through his e-mail at JCLibiran@ymail.com or visit his website at www.JCLibiran.com
KEYWORDS:
Advent, Cycle A,
OP Laity, Truth, Love, Expectation, Attestation, Testimony
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