Hope in the Lord

Wednesday Gospel Refection: Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest, and Doctor of the Church

At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
At that time, Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind. 
And Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

~Luke 7:18B-23

The readings during the season of advent have left me searching my heart. Am I one of the wise virgins that are prepared for Christ coming? Am I longing for Jesus to come more deeply into my life this Advent?

Today John sends two of his disciples to go to Jesus and ask him: “Are you the One who is to come? Or should we look for another?” When the men found Jesus, they told him that John had sent them. Jesus sends John an answer, but it is not a declaration. It is a picture of a world where God's spirit works. This image is to encourage John that it has begun.

This hope comes directly from God Himself. When the world was in despair, God became incarnate and was born as a child in Bethlehem. When John the Baptist and His disciples were in despair, the words and deeds of Jesus cast away their doubt. He is indeed the Messiah, and they should not look for another. Jesus is doing many miracles in our lives every day. There should be no more questions about whether or not He is what we are waiting for to save us and the whole world.

Like John the Baptist, we should always proclaim Jesus’s coming. Like the apostles, we should proclaim His gospel. And like the virgins, they always prepared for God.