Daily Readings - Sun Dec 11 2022
Matthew
2Now when John had heard, in prison, about the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples, he said to him3"Are you he who is to come, or should we expect another?4And Jesus, responding, said to them: "Go and report to John what you have heard and seen5The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor are evangelized6And blessed is he who has found no offense in me.7Then, after they departed, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind8So what did you go out to see? A man in soft garments? Behold, those who are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet10For this is he, of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send my Angel before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.11Amen I say to you, among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he
Sermon
In today's Gospel, we encounter a poignant moment where John the Baptist, imprisoned and uncertain, sends his disciples to inquire if Jesus is the Messiah they await. Jesus responds by highlighting the miracles He performs, affirming His divine mission. He then praises John as more than a prophet, yet humbly notes that even the least in the kingdom of heaven surpasses John. This passage invites us to reflect on doubt, faith, and our place in God's plan.
John's question to Jesus reveals a human moment of doubt, a feeling we all experience. Yet, Jesus' response is not one of rebuke but of reassurance, pointing to the signs of His ministry as evidence of His identity. This teaches us that in our times of uncertainty, we can find comfort in the signs of God's presence around us. John, though great, remained humble, recognizing his role as a precursor to Christ, reminding us to trust in God's larger plan.
In our daily lives, we face moments of doubt, but like John, we can find strength in faith. Jesus' miracles remind us to look for God's work in our world. The moral lesson here is one of trust and humility—trusting in God's plan even when uncertain and recognizing our place within His grand narrative. Let us embrace our roles with humility, trusting that even the smallest among us can be great in God's eyes.