Brothers and
sisters, on this third Sunday of Advent called also “Gaudete Sunday” or “Sunday
of Joy” we are invited to meditate on the crucial moment in the life of John
the Baptism who is a central figure in this liturgical season. The rose
vestment tells us that the night of sorrow is almost over. The light of joy is
nearer than ever. I want to draw our attention to something quite deep that happened
in the Gospel. The question of John the Baptism invites us to reflect on our
conceptions of Messiah, of the God who is to come. This is very vital for our
spiritual and faith life and should not be skipped by succession of events.
Matthew’s Gospel,
chapters 5 to 9 present Jesus acting with authority. He teaches with power. He
heals the sick, raises the dead, forgives sins, casts out demons. Then, in
chapter 10, he sends the disciples on mission. Chapter 11 marks a turning point
where human expectations begin to clash with divine reality. It is here that
John the Baptist appears again behind bars because he stood for truth and
justice.
John hears about the works of the Messiah. From prison, he sends his disciples with a question.
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” This is
crucial question revealing to us a fundamental truth: God’s way may appear
sometimes mysterious to us. It is a question that touches the heart of faith.
John had announced judgment. He spoke of the axe at the root of the tree. He
proclaimed a fire that will refine and separate. Now, he waits in chains. His idea of the
Messiah does not seem to match well with what Jesus is doing. His expectation
was that of divine justice, but Jesus is preaching mercy, forgiveness, peace,
love of enemy, patience, etc.
John’s question is honest and quite human. It is born from a suffering heart that has given up everything
for God. The Greek text uses the expression ho erchomenos, the one who
is coming. It refers to the awaited Messiah. John asks whether Jesus truly fits
that promise. This question does not cancel John’s mission. It reveals its
cost. His faith was tested by divine silence and apparent delay. We can say
that John the Baptist was going through a moment of spiritual crisis. Think
about this: the one of whom Jesus said: “among all born of women, he is the greatest”,
the one who pointed the Messiah saying: “Behold the Lamb of God…”.
Jesus does not respond with theory. He responds with
facts. “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” The blind see. The lame
walk. Lepers are cleansed. The deaf heart. The dead are raised. The poor
receive good news. These actions echo Isaiah’s promises of the time of
salvation. Jesus does not say, yes, I am the Messiah. He lets his works speak
for Him.
Then comes a decisive word. “Blessed is the one who
takes no offense at me.” The Greek verb skandalizo points to stumbling.
Jesus knows that his way will disturb expectations. He knows that faith will
face moments of darkness. The Joy He brings will not erase questions. It will
pass through them.
After John’s disciples leave, Jesus turns to the
crowd. He speaks with deep respect for John. He reminds them that John was not
weak. Not a reed shaken by the wind. Not a man of comfort. He was a prophet.
More than a prophet. The one who prepared the way. Yet Jesus adds something
striking. “The least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
This does not diminish John. It reveals the newness of
what is coming. John stands at the threshold. He announces the dawn of a new era:
He represent the passage from “Law” to “Grace” from divine anger to mercy. The Kingdom is not only proclaimed. It is
entered through communion with Christ.
Now we hear this Gospel on Gaudete Sunday. A Sunday of
joy. This is neither a cheap joy nor a superficial cheer. The Greek word chara,
joy, in Scripture flows from hope fulfilled in God’s fidelity, not from
the absence of pain. John is in prison, yet joy is near. Jesus is present yet
misunderstood. This tension belongs to Advent.
Many today pray like John. They have pointed others to
Christ. Yet they find themselves waiting, confined by illness, failure,
injustice, or unanswered prayer. This Gospel speaks to them. It says that doubt
brought to Jesus becomes a place of encounter. It says that God’s work often
unfolds differently from our plans.
Jesus invites us to read the signs of time. He brings healing
where there was brokenness, life where there was despair. His brings Good news to
the poor. These remain the marks of his presence. When we see them, even
quietly, joy is already at work.
Gaudete does not deny the
prison in which we may find ourselves today. It announces that the prison does
not have the last word. The One who comes is already among us. He is saying: “Do
not be afraid, for I have conquered the world.”, (John 16:33). Blessed are those who do not stumble over the
humility of his ways. Blessed are those who wait with trust. The Great Joy is
closer than it seems.
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