Jesus answered them, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind see, the
lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the
poor hear the good news; and how fortunate is the one who does not take offense at me!”
As the messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “When you went out
to the desert, what did you expect to see? A reed swept by the wind? What did you go out to
see? A man dressed in fine clothes? People who wear fine clothes live in palaces. What did
you really go out to see? A prophet? Yes, indeed, and even more than a prophet. He is the
man of whom Scripture says: I send my messenger ahead of you, to prepare the way before
you.
I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has arisen from among the sons of women;
and yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
“No one greater than John the Baptist has arisen from among the sons of women; and yet, the
least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Read:
On this “Gaudete Sunday” Isaiah describes a world that is bubbling with joy at the coming
of the Lord. It is the capacity to patiently wait for the Lord, which doubles our joy when he
arrives, assures James. Jesus points to the joyful transformation in the lives of the people as
the sign of his Messiahship.
Reflect:
John the Baptist had started off with a bang. Pointing to his cousin, he had declared to his
disciples that Jesus, indeed, was the Lamb of God. As time went by, John wasn’t very sure.
Jesus’ methods seemed to be drastically different from his own. John was all about fire and fury;
Jesus seemed to be a melting heart. John wanted to cut the barren trees down; Jesus was
for giving them yet another chance. Is he truly the one? As answer, Jesus invites John to look
at the fruits of his ministry: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are clean again, the deaf
hear, the dead come alive! The definitive sign of the Kingdom is the wholesome, healing joy
it brings.
Pray:
“Lord, make me a channel of your joy, healing, and life for others.”
Act:
Do an act that brings a smile on the face of someone around you.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022