Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 16th December

Message from Fr Paul for Thursday, 16th December 2021

           You will remember that in yesterday’s Gospel passage, John the Baptist sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he was truly the “one who is to come,” the Messiah promised by the prophets of old. Jesus confirmed he was indeed the Christ by the miracles of healing he worked and by the fact that he proclaimed the Good News to the poor. Today we continue reading from Luke, (Lk 7: 24-30), who recounts what happened once John’s messengers had returned to tell him what they had seen and heard, Let’s listen to what Jesus has to say to the people about John.

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:

See, I am going to send my messenger before you;

he will prepare the way before you.

‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.”

           Central to the testimony of Jesus concerning John are the words of the Prophet Malachi, (Mal 3: 10), supported by the Prophet Isaiah, (Is 40: 3). Malachi identifies this messenger as being the Prophet Elijah. At the time of Jesus, Jews believed that Elijah would return to prepare the way for the Messiah, hence if Jesus himself was the Messiah, then John must be Elijah. This is what Jesus is telling the crowds now, that John is Elijah come to prepare the way for the Christ. Hence, John is “much more than a prophet” and “of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John.” Even so, that is not all, for “the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is.” John will become greater than Elijah, as he will be one of the very first to enter into the kingdom of God at his martyrdom, when he bears witness to Jesus, who is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Jesus expresses his joy at those who accepted John’s baptism as a sign of the repentance for sin, but sorrow at the reaction of the scribes and Pharisees, who do not.

           We pray that all our fellow men and women will accept the baptism of Jesus that they, too, might become God’s sons and daughters and so enter joyfully into his kingdom. For this Jesus came into the world, to be our Saviour and Messiah.