John asks if Jesus is ‘the one who is to come’
Saint for Today: St. Adelaide
John asks if Jesus is ‘the one who is to come’
For reading of Sunday 12-12-10
Even though John the Baptist was in prison, he would hear rumors and stories about the amazing things that Jesus was doing. When some of his disciples came to visit him in his cell, he sent them out to find Jesus and to ask him a question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
After hearing this question, Jesus gave the men an answer. “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.” When John’s disciples left, Jesus decided to speak to the crowds that always gathered around him about John. “What did you go out to the desert to see?” He asked them. “A reed swayed by the wind? … Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear find clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?”
Jesus paused to allow the people to think about what he was saying to them, and he especially wanted them to think about John. “This is the one,” he said emphatically, “about who it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.’”
The people began to ask each other questions in whispers, wondering what Jesus meant. Then he said plainly to them, “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. … And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Jesus knew that John the Baptist was not always understood by the people who saw or heard him. He dressed differently and spoke loudly. So Jesus said, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” Then Jesus smiled, extended his hands and said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
READ MORE ABOUT IT:
Matthew 11
Q&A
1. What did John want to know about Jesus?
2. What prophet did Jesus compare John with?
Saint for Today: St. Adelaide
Adelaide (931-999) was pledged by her family to be the wife of Lothair, the son of a man named Hugh of Provence. Lothair married Adelaide when she was 16 years old, and he stepped into the role of the king of Italy. In the year 950, Lothair died and he was succeeded by Berengarius, who wanted Adelaide to marry his son. She refused, so Berengarius had her exiled to a castle on Lake Garda. She was rescued by Otto the Great, who was the king of Germany. She married him, and they had five children. In spite of living through a live of political conflict, Adelaide remained kind and generous and was usually cheerful. She worked to restore monasteries where monks and nuns could lead their religious lives. We honor her on Dec. 16.
