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." -
Matthew 11:2-11
whether he is the one to come, or should we be waiting for another. This is the same John the Baptist,
who Matthew records as baptizing Jesus, but only after saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you
come to me?* (Mt 3:14) He also records that John saw the dove alight upon Jesus and the Father say,
*This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.* (Mt 3:17) And yet John now sends his disciples to
confirm that Jesus is the One. Times had changed, John knew that he had been sent to *prepare the way
of the Lord.* John also knows that his time in prison will shortly come to an end and he will have to make
the ultimate sacrifice of his life for the sake of not compromising the Truth. He wants to be sure before he
sacrifices his life (see Mt 14 for the whole story). Jesus knows John is simply seeking confirmation.
Instead of saying *Of course I am* he simply says *Go tell John what you see** John*s work is now
complete; his disciples have just become witnesses to Jesus* divinity, and John will be the first recipient
of their *telling the Good News*.
Apostles and You
come, or should we expect another?* As a disciple you*ve seen the works of Jesus, you*ve been spending
time with him. You also may even have had an occasional spar with some of John*s own disciples,
claiming your master as better than theirs. John has sent them with this question. It is a moment of truth. Is
Jesus another messenger like John or is he the One? What are you thinking as you hear his response? Do
you experience the sudden realization that you have been spending time with the *One who is to come into
this world*? Do you feel vindication, *yes, I knew my master was more important than theirs*? Are you
moved by John*s obvious approaching martyrdom and his humility before Jesus?
Lord, I can sympathize with John the Baptist*s question. Sometimes I can be so sure of you and your
Lordship over all of creation, over all of history, over all of my life. Like John at your Baptism, I am
certain of your presence and glory. At other times, particularly when I am suffering and confused, I feel
like John in prison. Suffering in prison, quickly approaching his own execution, he looks to you and
there seems to be no immediate victory or glory coming from you. He probably looks wistfully back to
that day of your baptism, when he was so confident and sure that you were the Messiah and that the
kingdom was breaking into the world. Now it has been a few years and nothing seems to have
changed, even worse, instead of being vindicated, he is suffering in a prison. Where is the kingdom
that seemed to be almost here? Oh Lord, sometimes I look wistfully back on those brightest moments
of my faith. Sometimes in my suffering I must ask along with John the Baptist: Are you the one who is to
come, or do I wait for another. And so I ask you, *are you the one**
circumstances that most seem to confuse me. Reveal to me, those places in my life where I sit, with John the
Baptist, and ask, *is it really you?* Help me to hear those words of yours. That word spoken with such
authority and backed by so many wonders.
As I remain here in your presence Lord, if somebody were to ask me, what you asked the people in the
Gospel, *what did you come out here to see?* or *what did you come to this Hour to see?* this is how I
would respond...
Lord, you say, *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." You have also told us that we enter the
kingdom through Baptism. How is it Lord that I, already a member of the kingdom of Heaven through
Baptism, am to be considered greater than John the Baptist? How can I begin to grow in living up to the
incredible dignity you offer me by your grace?
EUCHARIST
Year of the Eucharist Page