December 14, 2025, Third Sunday of Advent
Lectionary #7, Matthew 11: 2-11
Scripture
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Reflection
John the Baptist plays a prominent role in all four Gospels. Some gospels don’t feature Joseph. Only Luke has the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The Gospel is the same and different in the four versions. However, John plays a central role in all of them because of his relationship with Christ. He was the Announcer, the Proclaimer of the One coming to reconcile the whole world to Himself. They could not leave John out of any gospel.
The Baptist had sent a delegation to Jesus to find out if He was really the coming Messiah or would they “look for another?” He must have been happy with the reply. Jesus did not answer with a simple yes or no. Words would not do for such a question. Jesus told John’s delegation “to report to John what you hear and see.”
The two, Jesus and John, had been sent to accomplish the same broad mission. Jesus was sent to save and reconcile, and John was sent to pave the way for the Reconciler. The response Jesus gave to John’s delegation is fantastic because it describes how the Reconciler will reconcile. He will not come only to exhort, persuade, and convince. He has come to reconcile by doing: “the blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, dead men are raised to life, and the poor have the good news preached to them.” This is how God reconciles, not by electrifying eloquence, or even by stunning miracles alone. He changes minds and hearts first through words and healing, and secondly by coming in person to speak to and heal individuals.
The Messiah’s greatest gift was that he brought God upon the earth. This God came not just to ‘make people good, prayerful, honest, industrious and kind’. He came to be with them because he loved them. Because people in love find words cheap (God included), He came to them in deed, in action. All of these actions provide today’s reconcilers a practical (and divine) approach to genuine reconciliation. Hungry and sick people, for example, are not concerned with reconciliation of any kind. Survival comes first, always.
That sentence “He came in deed” might be too long. The most beautiful deed the Lord had ever performed was to come personally: HE came to us. He could have saved humankind in a thousand splendid, triumphant ways…without setting foot on earth or coming close to a womb and human skin and bones. The entire saving work of reconciliation was directed to individuals, and only a person could accomplish it personally.
But the best of this reading is yet to come. John the Baptist is a prophet, “and something more!” He prepares the way for the Reconciler. This role is so preeminent that “history has not known a man born of woman greater than John the Baptizer.” Reconciliation of sinners is always a team effort. Christ thought it might be good to have other sinners help out.
La Salette Invocation
Our Lady of La Salette, reconciler of sinners,
pray without ceasing for us who have recourse to you.
