Matthew 11:2-11

Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10

Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of 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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, open the ears of my heart to hear your Word. I want to respond generously and courageously to all you ask of me. Help me today overcome any selfish desires or temptations to sin.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Works of the Messiah: While in prison, John heard what Jesus had been doing, especially things about his healings, miracles, and exorcisms. It is not clear why John sent his disciples to ask his cousin whether he was the “one who is to come.” While some think that John began to have doubts about Jesus as he languished in prison, others think that he wanted his disciples to leave him and begin to follow Jesus. In either case, Jesus invited John and John’s disciples to meditate on the meaning of his works. Six works are referenced, and each of them points to a greater work. Jesus cured not only physical blindness, but also spiritual blindness through the invitation to faith. Jesus enabled the lame to walk, but also invited people to walk in his footsteps and carry their cross. Jesus cleansed not only physical leprosy but also the spiritual leprosy of sin. Jesus opened the ears of the deaf and preached the Word of God that truly opens our ears. Jesus raised the physically dead and restored them to life, and this prefigures our resurrection from the dead. Lastly, Jesus proclaimed the Gospel to the poor in spirit and humble of heart.

2. Here is Your God: The First Reading, from Isaiah, highlights the desert. Jesus asked the crowds: “What did you go out to the desert to see?” Isaiah envisions the desert coming alive and flowers blossoming in the wilderness. This prophecy of Isaiah comes to fulfillment not by a physical outpouring of water, but through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God’s people. Thus, the desert and parched land are the hearts and souls of God’s people, who have become resistant to God’s word (see Bergsma, Word of the Lord: Year A, 26-27). Isaiah urges the people: “Be strong! Fear not! Here is your God!” Miraculous signs, Isaiah prophesies, will accompany the appearance of our Lord. All of these signs – healing the blind, deaf, lame, and mute – are accomplished by Jesus. This means that, with the appearance of Jesus, the time of redemption and the end of the exile has come: “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee” (Isaiah 35:10).

3. Be Patient: In the Second Reading, James counsels us to be patient. He is speaking to all Christians who await the coming (advent) of the Lord. He invites us to contemplate the example of a farmer who works and waits patiently for his crops to grow. James recalls how the farmer is at the mercy of the seasonal cycle and the early (spring) and late (autumn) rains. In like manner, we need to be patient and have steadfast hearts. As we patiently await the coming of the Lord, James urges us not to complain to one another about our brothers and sisters. This is sound advice. He recalls the Lord’s admonition in the Sermon on the Mount: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged.” Finally, James recalls the example of the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord and patiently endured hardship and persecution. The prophets did not see the fulfillment of their words about the coming of the Lord, and yet they believed and continued to hope. We have experienced the fruit of the first coming (advent) of the Lord in humility. We look forward and prepare ourselves – following the example of the prophets like John the Baptist – to the second coming (advent) of the Lord in glory.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have come to us in humility and will return in glory. When I contemplate the cross, I see the depth of your love. Look upon me with love today, inspire my thoughts, words, and actions so that they may be conformed to your likeness.

Living the Word of God: How have I complained or gossiped about others this week? What was the harshest judgment I made? Why did I do that? How can I be more patient and endure hardship without complaint this week?