1Reflection for Wednesday December 14, Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church; Luke 7:18b-23

Luke 7:18b-23

At that time, John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” When the men came to the Lord, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

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Reflection:

Jesus and John the Baptist go a long way as far as their association are concerned. Their mothers (Mary and Elizabeth) were cousins that makes both Jesus and John related. During the sixth (6) month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy she was visited by Mary who stayed with her until she gave birth.

Then, when Jesus was thirty years old, John appeared preaching in the desert of Judea calling for repentance. At the same time saying that somebody much greater than him is coming; alluding to Jesus.

John denounced the immorality of Herod for coveting the wife (Herodias) of his brother (Philip) this is one of the primary reasons why Herod ordered the arrest and imprisonment and eventual beheading of John. So, we see the close kinship of John and Jesus they go a long way.  

The gospel for today brings us to this situation wherein John was in prison while there he told his disciples to go and ask Jesus if He was the one. 

Being a close relative and a collaborator in the salvific mission of Jesus perhaps John was expecting Jesus to pay him a visit and boost his morale. Don’t we expect a visit from our close relatives if we’re sick, in difficult predicament and in prison? Of course we do!

But Jesus did not visit John it was enough for Him that He told the disciples: “The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”

We must not expect any form of reward in serving/following Jesus we should just be content on doing our mission for Him. If there would be people who will detest and persecute us in following Jesus so be it. 

John did not complain on his predicament in prison he continued to be faithful to his assigned mission that he gave his very life for it. Perhaps even then, John already knew that there was an everlasting life. Where he will finally taste the sweetness of the reward that God will give him for his faithfulness to his mission.  

In serving or following Christ expect hardships, expect people to persecute you and expect moments of loneliness and isolation. Amidst these factors let us continue to be faithful to Jesus and to our mission for His people.

There may not be rewards here in this world but there will surely be after our lives have ended and that is in heaven where we will be in the bosom of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas