When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.' 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.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, you reveal yourself through your actions. I believe you are the Son of God, my Redeemer, and you gave your life for me. I know you are the answer to all my prayers. I hope in you and I trust in you, no matter what difficulties I face. I want to love you as you loved me, giving myself to you.   I put myself in your hands, Lord, because you are my hope for eternal life.

Petition: Lord, increase in me a supernatural faith that sees your guiding hand even in times of trial and darkness. Let me draw all I meet to you, send everyone I meet to you, so they too will discover who you are.

1. John the Baptist seeks out Christ. Are you the one, John has his disciples ask Jesus. We don't know exactly his reasons for sending them, some say he was impatient because he had announced a day of wrath of the Lord and Jesus had not fulfilled it ("his winnowing fan is in his hand, he will gather up the chaff and burn it, the ax is laid to the roots"); others say he was trying to push those last disciples who visited him in prison and were still hanging onto him, toward Christ who was the true Lamb of God ("he must increase, I must decrease.") There have been other guesses too, that there had been a discussion among his followers, "this man you sent us is not the Messiah we expected, he's no conquering king" but what we do know for sure is what John did. For whatever reason, he sent his disciples to Jesus.  He doesn't argue with them, and whether for his own benefit or theirs, he wants the truth made clear and he sends them to Jesus himself. John was a man who sought answers and the truth. He knew where he would find it, he trusted Jesus to give him an honest and true answer. This tells us a lot about these two cousins.

In trying to get to know Jesus and his will, we sometimes overlook the obvious. We read books about him, but we don't go to him. We wonder what it would be like to have him as the focus of our life, but we hesitate to put ourselves in his hands totally. We speak about him but not to him. John shows us what to do, the way to go.  

2. Jesus gives the answer. A writer once said, if there were a new persecution against Christians and we were all hauled into court, might not most of us be dismissed of the charge for lack of evidence? This was not John the Baptist's problem, and neither was it Jesus'. John, the fearless prophet, afraid of no man because he feared only God and respected his law above all things, paying in prison the price of being who he was and denouncing evil where he saw it, echoing God's law and God's will. Jesus was also walking inexorably toward his own death, just for being who he was, and doing what his Father sent him to do.

If someone asked me if I am a Christian, would it be enough to point to Jesus' example and my own behavior for the answer to be obvious? Would my charity in word and deed show I am his follower, would my assistance at Mass show my belief in his sacrifice and his presence, would my honesty in work, my participation in public life, my studies, the development of my "talents", all point to the fact that I take Christ at his word and have him as my example and my strength? Am I salt of the earth and light of the world to my friends, or is the talent of my faith buried in the "private recesses" of my heart and mind instead of being leaven in the world, among my friends, changing everyone I come into contact with?  

3. Jesus praises John.  It seems John's disciples were still within earshot when Jesus goes on to praise him. He praises him for being a man of strength and conviction, not a compromiser, swayed by the winds. He was not a courtier, pampered and dressed in fine clothes. The Son of God, the "one who is to come" says in admiration of the one sent by his Father to prepare the way for him, "a prophet, yes, and more than a prophet." John spoke for God. When Jesus asked the Pharisees if "the baptism of John was from man or God" they were afraid to answer him. Jesus, however, is not afraid to say what he knows. He will never abandon those who trust in him. "If you do not deny me before men, I will not deny you before my heavenly Father." Jesus is the most faithful friend.

4. Jesus wakes us up. After praising John and saying he is the new Elijah, more than a prophet, more than the greatest, Jesus goes on to say that the least one in the Kingdom is greater than John! Elsewhere he said, "To whom much is given much shall be asked of him." What must Christ be expecting of his baptized disciples in the world today? Pope St Leo the Great said, "Christian, be aware of your dignity!" Recognize so many things you have received that those who went before Christ never did. They never witnessed God's love made present on Calvary and in the Eucharist, nor God's power in the Resurrection. We have a greater message to spread than any prophet, even the greatest of the Old Testament. We have witnessed greater miracles than they could ever imagine. St. Paul tells us that some are called to be apostles, others evangelists, etc. Each of us has a role to play in the plan of God. It doesn't matter in the end what our particular role is as long as it is what Christ wants for us. We are all called to be messengers of Christ to lead others to him.

Try to imagine the hope with which Christ relies on you.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I want to see all with eyes of faith. In my difficulties help me like St John the Baptist to go to you for the answer to my questions. Strengthen me to be your messenger by example despite the pressures to let you down. Open my eyes to all you have given me and make me your messenger to everyone I meet. Help me Lord to be faithful to your will for my life. I know that you will never abandon me.

Questionnaire:

1. Have I placed any false expectations in Jesus? What can I do to correct these?

2. What is the one, obvious thing in my life where I always shut down on God, the one obvious thing that jars with my condition as a Christian?

3. As I prepare for Christmas, am I willing and what have I decided to do to change the answer to my previous question? Will I ask Christ every day, honestly, for the grace I need to do it? Am I ready for the sacrifice it will take? Do I realize that on my own I can do nothing but with Christ I can do everything?