3rd Sunday of Advent, Cycle A

Mass Readings from December 15, 2019:
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
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​The third Sunday of Advent is about our expectations of Jesus coming to save us.
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It can be disappointing when someone does not meet our expectations.  This Sunday’s Gospel we hear that John the Baptist was in prison.  We hear from Matthew’s Gospel that John was in prison and wanted to know if Jesus was the Messiah.  So, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah, the promised savior.  It is unsure if John the Baptist felt disappointed that Jesus did not fit his idea of a Messiah King who will come to rule with justice and to deliver punishment to the evil doers.  Moreover, John was in prison for speaking the truth and the Messiah was supposed to liberate the captives.  Then, there is the possibility that John was having doubts that he had fulfilled his mission by preparing the way of the Lord.  Or worst, he made a mistake and he pointed out the wrong person as the Messiah. 
In Matthew’s Gospel we hear of Jesus’ response to John the Baptist’ question.   Jesus told the disciples of John the Baptist to report back what they heard and seen: “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.” (Mt. 11:4-5 New American Bible).  In other words, Jesus wanted John to know that Jesus is the Messiah but not the one who fits his and other’s expectations.  Jesus is not the military or political figure who would come to overthrow the Roman occupiers and rule from a palace.  Rather, Jesus as the Messiah, would be the shepherd who ministers to the needy and redirect God’s people back to God.  Jesus’ response will not change John’s situation of being in prison but the reply will be a confirmation of John’s ministry.  Thus, John would later die in prison but hopefully he was in peace with the assurance that Jesus is the promised savior. 
Like the John the Baptist we can be disappointed that God does not fit our idea as a savior.  We believe that Jesus is our savior but that doesn’t mean that God will rescue us from all of our troubles.  We may pray to God that we be healed from an illness, plea that a love one will not die, and request that our financial difficulties and conflicts with other people be disappeared yet, those problems may still remain.  Thus, we may become angry, sad even to the point of despair, as well as doubt God when things don’t go our way.  We don’t know why bad things happen to good people nor know why God permits death, suffering, and sin.  However, it is our faith in a loving and saving God that sustains us in those difficult times.  We find true peace when we lift up our needs, cares and worries to God and surrender ourselves to his will.  We experience forgiveness and reconciliation in the Sacrament of Confession.  Moreover, our soul is spiritually nourished through Holy Communion.  And finally, our soul is strengthened in times of illness through the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.  Thus, it is God’s grace that opens our eyes to see his presence among us; he opens our ears to hear his word, our lips to sing his praises, and gives strength to our hands and feet for service. 
            Therefore, may we persevere in our faith especially in difficult times by waiting for the coming of the Lord.  We are eager for the day when our Lord comes for us to lead us into his kingdom where there will be no more sorrow, suffering and death.