Gospel Lesson for the Week
December 16, 2007
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Third Sunday of Advent
Please read:
Matthew 11:2-11
Also read:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
James 5:7-10
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he
sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come,
or are we to wait for another?”
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and
see: the blind receive their sight,
the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes
no offense at me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds
about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed
shaken by the wind? What then did
you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft
robes are in royal palaces.
What then 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,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way
before you.’ Truly I tell you, among
those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the
least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Beyond Doubt
.
When caught in
the midst of my doubts,
I think of John,
languishing in prison,
awaiting
execution,
and wondering if
he had made a mistake.
John. Cousin
John,
whom Jesus
called a prophet, and more.
If John could
have moments of doubt,
I guess its OK
for me
to wonder just a
bit from time to time,
when things get
tough
and God seems
far away.
But then it is
that Jesus
reminds me
to look beyond
my human circumstance,
beholding all
that God has done
and goes on
doing from day to day
-- little
miracles
-- and sometimes
big ones too
and therefore to take no
offence
at God’s apparent absence
in the interim.
And so I try to be like
John, the real John,
an oak, and not a reed
bending in the wind;
a messenger to all I meet
along the way
preparing for the coming
of the Lord.
And when I turn to
Christ,
I, the least in the
kingdom, soon discover,
that he has no doubts about me..
Lord, you have put your confidence in me,
And so your Advent candle I will be.
And as I make my way hither and yon,
Grant me the grace to witness just like
John.
--- rvc
The Weekly Lessons are based on the lectionary texts for the week – usually the Gospel lesson. They are not designed as a formal commentary. Rather, they are the personal reflections and original compositions of The Relay Online editor, Rev. Robin Van Cleef, and offer a jumping off point, using the scriptures as triggers to thought, imagination, and (we hope) empowerment. As you read them, let your own imagination play, and let the Spirit speak to you, leading you where it will. The Gospel Lessons reflected on this site may not be copied, reproduced or otherwise manipulated elsewhere on the internet without the expressed consent of the author. Please also note that while we're unable to quote Bible scripture on these pages, it is permissible to redirect our viewers to Bible passages using hyperlinks to web sites having that authority.
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