LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST, WE MUST LOOK FOR THE TRUTH

III SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Matthew 11:2-11

John the Baptist is one of the dominant figures in Advent. He gathered some disciples and initiated a movement that lasted beyond his life. In Ephesus, Paul met a group of John’s disciples who had received his baptism (Ep 19:1-3). Jesus was influenced by John and his movement. Jesus went to him to be baptised and then made an experience in the desert, maybe attracted by  John’s lifestyle. However, Jesus parted ways with John. He did not remain in the desert but chose to travel up and down towns and villages, mixing with people and proclaiming the great good news of God’s time of salvation. If we look at John and Jesus side by side, we can find big differences between them. John abandoned city life and went into the desert. Jesus, after a short experience in the desert, made Capernaum his headquarters. John was harsh with himself and lived a frugal life. Jesus dressed in a special tunic (Jn 19:1) and ate whatever people offered him. John preached about the impending judgement and punishment of the corrupt society that he had abandoned. Jesus witnessed God’s love, compassion and mercy for downtrodden people who cried out for deliverance. 

John was aware of his mission which he tried to fulfil with earnestness. He was a voice calling on people to prepare a way for the Lord and to be ready to welcome him. He expected the Messiah to come with power to cleanse the world of all evil. With an axe in his hands he would cut down the trees that bear no fruit and burn the chaff with “unquenchable fire.” (Mt 3:12). However, Jesus was not doing that and John was disappointed and his mind was full of misgivings. Maybe he was mistaken! And he decided to send his disciples to Jesus with a straightforward question: “Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?” Jesus did not answer yes or no, but presented the great signs of the fulfilment of the great Promise of salvation:

“Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.”

Jesus is indeed the Messiah. God’s justice is brought about by his gentleness and compassion. God is merciful and he calls on us to be merciful as well.

After the return of John’s disciples, Jesus made an appraisal of John:

“‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet”.

John was indeed a truthful and honest man that always spoke what he thought to be true. He would not be swayed around by anybody and would remain faithful to the end. That’s why he is much more than a prophet. However, even a prophet must go on searching for the truth and paying attention to the signs through which God speaks to us. God reveals himself to those who persevere in knocking on his door until it opens.