Third Week of Advent: Wednesday
Reading: Luke 7: 19-23
John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?” It was just then that he cured many people of disease and afflictions and of evil spirits and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
Reflection
In Luke 3:15 we read where ‘a feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ,’ however, he states quite clearly that he ‘is not fit to undo Christ’s sandals.’ Now, the news of Christ’s healing and preaching ministry has reached John’s disciples and they are anxious to learn more. John sends them to Jesus to confirm if he is the one to come or has the waiting for the Messiah to continue. Jesus points out the fruits of his labours to them and instructs them that the outward manifestations of his ministry are not the whole story. Proclamation of the Gospel leading to a growth in faith in each one is why he came. We are Christ’s 21st century disciples and we too are called to an ever-deepening faith in him.