Image from agnusday.org.
Advent Work Brings Christmas Fruit
From Matthew 11: 2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" 4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Awaiting a special arrival brings anxiety and doubt. This is the time of year many order items from the internet and then anxiously await their arrival. In our neighborhood we have those who know we await things and if they see these items left on our front steps before we do, help themselves to free presents. In a more serious way, John the Baptist lived out what was expected of him and he ended up in prison. He spoke the truth about all things, especially about preparing the way for the coming Savior. He also spoke out against the living arrangement of the king and the king's lover and this angered the lover more than the king. Slam. Prison doors are locked. John is filled with doubt and so he asks by messenger, "Jesus, are You the One, or should we continue to wait for another?" Jesus' answer was to the point; "Share what you hear and see: the blind are able to see, the crippled are now walking, the lepers are cured, the deaf are now hearing, the dead have been resurrected, and the poor have the Good News shared with them. And one more thing, those who takes no offense at me is blessed."
The Advent Journey brings us to our personal questions, what are we seeing happen that is out of the ordinary but we can attribute to God? More importantly, what are we doing to help God prepare the way for others to hear and believe in the One whose birth we will be celebrating soon? Jesus told the crowds their wilderness experience brought to them an encounter with the one God sent to prepare the way. Yes, he was dressed as a prophet; you can expect great things from prophets. Had he been dressed as a prince, what would you expect from a prince? Selfish things not great ones. John came to bless others and his birth was a great event. Yet, Jesus continues, "the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Faith counts for our belonging to God and in God's kingdom. Yet, it should be a faith that out of love for what God has shared with us drives us to do the great things that still need doing in our midst. We need to care for one another out of love. As I said above, Advent work brings Christmas fruit.
PRAYER: Almighty God, I may not have the power to heal, but You have given me the power to care. What I have heard about You I can share; those who cannot see should find in me someone willing to guide them. Those who cannot get around on their own should find in me someone willing to drive them somewhere. Those considered unclean and untouchable should find in me someone willing to embrace and love them. And the least I can do is bear witness to the greatness of God's love especially among those who are poor in every sense of the word. This I can do and should do, with Your help. I lift this prayer up in faith in the name of Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
