3rd Week of Advent, Thursday – 16th December 2021 — Gospel: Lk 7,24-30
Rejoicing or Rejection
Jesus asked the crowd what exactly they were looking for. They did not go to see John the Baptist because he was weak or uninspiring. They didn’t rush to see him because he was wealthy or handsome. They went out into the desert to see him because he spoke words of hope and salvation. The crowds, in fact, were hungry for meaning, purpose and salvation. They followed John, and their searching led them to the Messiah. They rejoiced at what they had found. In stark contrast, the Pharisees and scholars rejected what they saw. Their narrow worldview and hard heartedness didn’t allow them to see the reality in front of them. Those who accepted John’s baptism moved onto a higher level of existence by embracing the righteousness of God. About him, Jesus gave the highest possible praise to the Baptist: ‘a prophet and more than a prophet, the messenger.’
