Do we recognize the Messiah?

Greetings on this the Third Sunday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10.; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

Summary

Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another? (Mt 11:3).

This week we have focused on the identity questions.

1) Are you still waiting for Elijah?
2) Do we recognize the stranger?
3) Now, the big question: Do we recognize the Messiah? Or, said another way, How do we recognize the Messiah?

Jesus answers John’s question with the overarching promise made by Isaiah: Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you (Isa 35:4). Jesus replies to John’s messenger using the specific actions Isaiah describes as what the Messiah would take: See Is 26:19; 29:18–19; 35:5–6; and 61:1. He recombines them into a single statement with a kicker at the end: 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 (Mt 11:5-6).

Rather than explaining Himself, Jesus describes what is happening for the primacy of our focus.

And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me? That blessing addresses our limited expectations—our human timelines, our partial vision, our desire for immediate resolution. John the Baptist wanted what everyone wants: Lord, fix it NOW! Plus, by the way, I’m in prison, about to die and, um, how about me?

Jesus is not disappointed in John.
He is inviting John to hold the horizon steady: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done. The promise is real, the effects can be seen but the timeline belongs to God. We rely upon salvation history to help us see the constant works of holiness through the persons of : Abraham, Moses, and David, and through the Divine Person: Jesus Incarnate, Jesus Risen, Jesus Ascended, and now Jesus to Return.

This Joyful Sunday, “Gaudete” – Rejoice!

It is true: we see misery.
But it is also true: we see grace and salvation at work.

My joy is knowing that the Lord is always at work bringing joy, even when the work is not yet finished.

Our prayer today:
(From Third Sunday of Advent Morning Prayer LOTH)

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
ever faithful to your promises
and ever close to your Church:
the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming
and looks forward with longing
to his return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness
that hinders us from feeling the joy
which his presence will bestow,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.

Amen!

Reflection

How many fingers do I have? Ten.
When I smash a finger in the door jamb how many fingers do I have in that moment? One! One miserable, hurting, throbbing finger. For all intents and purposes I have only one finger in that moment. But, really I have 9 healthy fingers and one really painful finger.

So it is with life.

Pain can dominate our attention,
but it does not erase the larger reality.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121425.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry