Reflection for December 9, Thursday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 11:11-15

Gospel: Matthew 11:11-15

Jesus said to the crowd: 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. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. 

And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you know John the Baptist? 

John the Baptist called for the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 3:2). John also gave his life for the sake of righteousness when he criticized King Herod for coveting Herodias the wife of his brother Philip (Matthew 14:1-12). To follow Jesus faithfully is not easy because to follow Him is tantamount to be at war with this world. 

We see this in the lifestyle and behavior of John. John is the walking advertisement of humility, simplicity and righteousness. John refused to kowtow to the dictates of this world. He stood for the values and teachings of God and this eventually led to his violent death. 

Up to this very day the forces of Evil are still very much active. It hovers around and it will try to snatch us from the embrace of Jesus. We must never allow ourselves to be deceived by the devil for he is a walking advertisement of evil and violence. Let us always be like John who remained simple and who stood against evil even at the cost of his very life. 

We only pass in this world once let us take full advantage of it by making a stand for what is right as what John the Baptist did during his time. Let us never be discouraged if the people of this world will condemn us for not embracing this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas