Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Intention: That in this season of hospitality and generosity, all of us will make a special place for those whose lives are wounded by need, misfortune or injustice.
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.”
A Short 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? It may be helpful for the reader to know that scripture scholars suggest that this story is pointing to something beyond the Baptist. One of the reasons that John figures so prominently in the Advent Gospels is that he represents the long experience of an entire people awaiting the arrival of God’s Kingdom. His question would have made sense to them, touching as it did on their many disappointments and doubts, reflecting as it did the brittle faith of a battered people. Today, many of us carry similar hesitancies about believing the Good News. Fear and cynicism are hard feelings to overcome, especially during these times where both are actually being weaponized and encouraged. And so, we probe at the Gospel’s edges, looking for the easiest places to enter, ones that do not carry the risk of our being let down or taken in. And that is where we lose the path, because there is no real redemption without faith and there is no real faith without risk. 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.” In many ways, to let go is simply to open scared or stubborn eyes and see what clearly is around us and within us. This Advent, we are called to trust in the certainty that God, indeed, is present and that his Kingdom is within our reach.
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.