3rd Sunday: To hear and to see

"Go and tell John what you hear and see . . ."

Matthew 11: 2 - 11

The Word:  http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121519.cfm

We come today on this special Sunday of joy to prepare now for the coming of Christ among us.  As we draw closer to the Christmas season, just ten days from now, the liturgy invites us to recapture some of the longing and hope of the ancient Jewish community.  Knowing that hope was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus’ birth is the joy we should feel as that commemoration draws closer.

Our readings reflect the joy of that longing.  Isaiah reminds us: “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God . . .” Not some future moment but now.  So, it’s a longing for the coming of the Anointed One, the Messiah, to come and finally set his people free to raise up the kingdom of Israel and banish oppression.  That being said, you can imagine the varied opinions floating around in John the Baptist time about who and what that Messiah will be like: he will come from the priestly class, he will look like another Moses, and he will be a Son of David. 

In other words a kind of warrior king who would defeat their enemies.  Even John the Baptist had his own expectation as he preached along the Jordan River about one who would, “Baptize with spirit and fire . . . clear his threshing floor,” etc. One thing, however, is that, despite the imagery in Isaiah we hear today about the signs of physical healing, is that the Messiah would not be a healer. 

In this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew we hear further from John the Baptist, now in prison by King Herod, ask a surprising question about Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Is John questioning his own judgment for who he was preparing the crowds?  It seems there is a sense of disappointment or confusion by John about Jesus. 

Scholars tell us that John may indeed have had some question about or wanted to finally verify his preaching about Jesus work who is traveling around the country side telling stories as a gentle preacher, sharing meals with known sinners and healing people. He is merciful and compassionate to the sinner while he shows little judgement on their sinful status, he shows empathy for the suffering; allows children to surround him, so where’s the fire and threshing? And so, John sends his disciples off to go and convey this question. But was it for John’s own confirmation or was it so that his disciples themselves may come to believe?

So, in response to their question of Jesus he reminds John’s disciples: “Go tell John what you hear and see.” In a typical indirect way, Jesus invites those who question to answer that for themselves.  Rather than a straight “yes” or “no,” he invites John’s disciples to come to faith and discover the truth of his mission and person.

Using the imagery of Isaiah today, Jesus states:  “. . . 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.” (Mt. 11). Isn’t it better for one who preaches to lead by example?  To put his words into action?  Jesus simply states: “If you don’t believe who I am by my words, then believe because of the actions I do.” In the coming of Christ among us, God is putting back together the pieces broken by sin.

The fruits he shows are the proof of God’s intervention in human history and we should never "take offense" or more literally - not be "tripped up" at him.  In other words, we should never see Our Lord as an obstacle, in the way of my personal agenda, but an invitation to a new life.

Isaiah writes: “. . . Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, . . . Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. . . .” (Is 35: 1-6).  Our Gospel, the very words of Christ himself, fulfills what Isaiah painted and other prophets hoped to see, in the miracles worked at his word. The Kingdom of God has come among us.  The end of the line is reached and now is the time to pay attention – to “wake up” as we hear in this holy Advent season.

While the signs of the child’s birth in Bethlehem, the singing angels, the shepherds and Magi are all very tender and impressive, it is so that we may see the purpose of his birth, the reason why he was born, and place our faith in the person who has come mysteriously among us – the fulfillment of all the ancient prophecies made flesh in the person of Jesus the Christ, born of Mary.  

Here is where the rubber hits the road you might say. It is by the signs (miracles) that Jesus worked, his “fruits” of preaching, that we can now follow him with confidence. Not because he is a miracle worker or charismatic preacher but because he is our Savior, Son of God, Messiah, the hope of all humanity. Yet, the transition from following John and embracing Jesus was not a smooth process in his time.  Some enjoyed the more aggressive approach and spurred on by their hatred for the Romans, or their alignment with them, took a different course towards Jesus that put him under suspicion from the moment he appeared on the scene. 

So, these readings today open a new door for us; closer and more focused on the Christ, whose birth we will commemorate. Today, the Church is meant to be a place of healing, good news, wholeness, reconciliation, unity, generosity towards others, and a welcome sign of Jesus’ presence in the world today.

While unexplainable physical healings are still experienced today, as in the canonization process for a new saint, the more common experience of life may be a sign of healing in itself. 

These last ten days of Advent call us to open our eyes, to look for the signs that verify God’s presence in our lives.  In his name, the hungry are fed; the poor are shown mercy and a better opportunity; the defenseless child or elderly are protected; the suffering are given dignity and compassion. His living word is proclaimed at Mass and his risen presence is made our food in the Eucharist. 

Wherever good is done in his name and the sacramental life of the Church is continued as he forgives, heals, gives new life, unites, and anoints as he becomes active and alive in our midst – his mission continues to offer us redemption and his life is born in us as it all began in the manger centuries past.

So, we may be asked the same question as John: “Are you the one?”  If we truly say Christ is, there can be no other and we follow him according to his plan and not our own.  He is the Holy One, not just another teacher among teachers, greater than all before him, Lord and Savior. 

 For all the oracles of the prophets foretold him,

the Virgin Mother longed for him

with love beyond all telling,

John the Baptist sang of his coming

and proclaimed his presence when he came. 

(From Preface II of Advent)