"Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor receive the good news. And blessed is the one who does not lose faith in me”.

The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed for John the Baptist that the miracles and healings which he performed were in direct fulfilment of the Messianic prophecies announced by Isaiah some 700 years previously. Isaiah had prophesied that when the Messiah would come to save his people he would "open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, the lame would leap, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy" (Isaiah 35:5). The miracles of Jesus are a demonstration of the power of God's kingdom at work in the midst of his people. When God acts to save his people he turns their sorrow and weeping into joy and singing, and their fear and weakness into strength and hope. 

John the Baptist paid the ultimate sacrifice of his life for speaking God's word and preparing the way for Jesus the Lord and Saviour of the world. The Lord Jesus Christ offers us the same assurance of faith and the strength to stand against every force that would try to rob us of our conviction and courage to live and proclaim the good news (the Gospel) of God's kingdom. On this Third Sunday of Advent, may we as a Parish community know the joy, strength, and power which Jesus gives to every one who puts their trust in him. May we ask the Lord Jesus Christ to increase our faith and hope in his promises. 

Fr John 

Advent Quote from the Early Church Fathers: John fulfils Elijah's prophetic ministry, by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D. "Jesus knew the mind of John who sent them, for he knew, as God knows, our inner thoughts. There he was, actively healing the blind, lame, and many others. He healed not to teach John, who was already convinced, but those who had come to him doubting. Having healed them he said, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.' And then he added pointedly, 'And blessed is the one who takes no offence at me.' By saying this Jesus implied that he knew even his questioners' unuttered thoughts.”



© 2022 Servants of the Word, source: dalyscripture.net, author Don Schwager.