MY daily reflection and prayer:
Wednesday, Desember 16, 2015
The Third Week of Advent
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Luke 7:18-23
The disciples of John told him of all these things.And John, calling to him two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, `Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?'” In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many that were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THE Gospel today proclaims to us that St. John the Baptist sent his disciples to question Jesus about his claim to be God’s anointed Messiah. Did he have doubts about Jesus and his claim to divinity that he sent his disciples to question Jesus about his claim to be God’s anointed Messiah? Certantly not likely!
St. John the Baptist had earlier revealed Jesus’ mission at the River Jordan when he exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). He also preached to the crowds, “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)
So, why did St. John the Baptist send his disciples to question Jesus about his claim to be God’s anointed Messiah? He very likely sent his disciples to Jesus because he wanted them to hear and see firsthand for themselves the signs and proof that the Messiah had indeed come in the person of Jesus who was sent by the Father in heaven and anointed by the Spirit at the River Jordan.
And to the people of St. John the Baptist, as proclaimed in the Gospel today, Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”
Jesus emphasized that, he was a direct fulfillment of what the prophet Isaiah had foretold many centuries before that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom and new life for all who were oppressed by afflictions, infirmities, sin and guilt, and demonic spirits (see Isaiah 61:1-2).
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, we believe and worship Jesus Christ who has come in the power of God’s kingdom to release each of us bound up by sin, fear, and hopelessness. He is the Best News for all.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Best News for us. Everyone who receives you and believe in you will be saved. We we know and witness to others this joy now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
