Breaking Open the Word
By James Cavanagh
Dec. 12: The Third Sunday of Advent
Scripture readings:
- Isaiah 36:1-6, 10
- Psalm 146:6-10
- James 5:7-10
- Matthew 11:2-11
Overview:
The first reading comes from a part of Isaiah written sometime during the Babylonian Captivity (sixth-century B.C.). Jerusalem was in ruins and Solomon’s temple was no more. The people had all but given up hope of returning to the Promised Land. The prophet uses images reminiscent of the Exodus to encourage his fellow Jews in exile. “Those whom the Lord has ransomed,” he tells them “will return and enter Zion singing.” God himself will deliver his people. The evidence of his coming will be accompanied by marvelous signs: the blind will see; the lame will walk; the deaf will hear and the mute will sing with joy. The healing miracles of Jesus are a confirmation that God has in fact come. In response to John the Baptist’s question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus’ actions speak for themselves.
This week’s second reading reminds us that even as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we mustn’t forget that he whose birth was accompanied by hymns of heavenly joy is also the one who “will come again to judge the living and dead.” As St. James says, “Behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” As we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ, we mustn’t lose sight of his second coming.
In this week’s Gospel Jesus doesn’t give a straightforward answer to John’s question. Rather, he points to what has been happening in his ministry. John’s question may seem strange at first. After all, didn’t he acknowledge Christ as “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1:29)? Was John having doubts? Was he expecting a different kind of Messiah? As interesting as these questions might be, John’s question is really our question: Can we believe that Jesus Christ really is God incarnate? Jesus doesn’t answer the question directly so that we will have to make a decision of faith.
Key verse:
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Mt 11:3).
“Catechism of the Catholic Church”:
“Jesus accompanies his words with many ‘mighty works and wonders and signs,’ which manifest that the kingdom is present in him and attest that he was the promised Messiah. The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him” (No. 547-548).
Pope Benedict XVI:
“What did Jesus actually bring, if not world peace, universal prosperity and a better world? What has he brought? The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about our origin and destiny” (“Jesus of Nazareth,” Vol.1)
Life application:
John the Baptist’s question is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. Can we believe the Jesus Christ is the one who is to come, or should we look for another? Was Jesus simply a good man, as many people think, or was he, as we profess, the God-man? Faith is not a feeling, but an operation of intellect and will that calls for a decision.
James Cavanagh is director of Evangelization and Catechesis for Metro-Area Parishes of the Denver Archdiocese. For information on subscribing to "Breaking Open the Word, click here. For archives click here.
