Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Intention: That we all might rediscover the joy of simplicity in living and make of this Advent a season of hospitality and generosity to those in need.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 7:18B-23
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.”
Reflection for the Third Wednesday of Advent
Today’s Gospel presents us with an interesting and rather startling picture. It is of John the Baptist, sending word from his prison cell to his followers to ask his cousin, Jesus, “Are you really the one who is to come?” Why would the hand-chosen precursor of the Messiah ask this? How is it possible that John would not know? A closer reading of the narrative might help us see what is happening here, and also its connection to our observance of Advent.
A possibility is that this surprising and dramatic moment is not really about John at all. One of the reasons that John figures so prominently in the Advent season’s readings is that he represents all of the messianic prophecy and expectation that led to the birth of Jesus. John arrives in the midst of the long, almost unbearable anticipation of an entire people for the arrival of God’s deliverance from their oppression. His question would have echoed ages of their collective uncertainty, disappointment, deception, even desperation. It would have made perfect sense to them that he asked it, even as it revealed the jaded and brittle faith for which they later would receive some of Jesus’ harshest reprimands.
Today, we know that John need not have worried. Jesus was, indeed, the promised one. However, this did not mean an end to anxiousness. For us, there is still that matter of having too little faith. Even as we acknowledge Jesus as our savior, we continue to hesitate to embrace his gift. We probe at the edges of his message, looking for the safe places to enter, more trusting of our own pathways than of his. The coming of Jesus that answered our expectation – “When will you come?” – has replaced it with one of his own – “When will you follow?” John’s question endures, except now it is directed to us.
Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.” Advent is a truly a time of expectation, but in more ways than one. Not only do we look forward to welcoming our Lord and Savior into the world, but we also look forward to discovering how together we will make our way to him and better live as his disciples. It is up to us to give ourselves fully to the miracle of the Incarnation and the fullness of the Gospel. On Christmas, we can honor Christ’s birth as we repeat our own.
Prayer
Eternal Father, even in this Advent time, we can find it hard to stop worrying about our own needs. Open our hearts to the grace that we need to trust and to let go. Help us to overcome our insecurities and our fears and welcome your healing and peace. May we celebrate your Son’s birth by saying yes to his call to build and serve your Kingdom. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.