But wisdom is vindicated by her works

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Second Week of Advent | USCCB

In our gospel for today Jesus is pointing out the negativity that people felt towards Him and John the Baptist. Both Jesus and John always seemed to be at odds with those in authority.

For John, with his austerity, just seemed extreme to those who saw him by the Jordon River baptizing people who wanted to turn from their sinfulness. John was calling the Pharisees hypocrites and “broods of vipers.” He saw their hypocrisy. Further, with his strange appearance of wearing camel’s hair clothes and strange diet of locust and wild honey, they just thought he was extreme. John was teaching about repentance from sin and to be ready for the coming of the messiah. John was reminding people that they needed to turn from their selfish way of living and turn back to love of God and love of neighbor. Further, as the forerunner of Jesus, John very clearly pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” John’s whole ministry was to bring people into relationship with God by pointing out that Jesus was their Messiah. This made people feel uncomfortable! No one liked being told they are living a sinful life and need to repent and turn away from sin to be obedient to God’s commandments.

Then Jesus comes along and, after being baptized by John in the Jordon, was going to the homes of public sinners like tax collectors and healing people with diseases by forgiving their sins, along many other public signs that caused those in authority to ask, “How can this be the Messiah? He’s eating and drinking with tax collectors and prostitutes?” and “He’s speaking blasphemy by forgiving their sins.” Jesus’ way of bringing people to repentance was to be with them and to show the love and forgiveness of God for everyone, whether they’re a great sinner or not. Jesus’ message of love and repentance was attractive to those who felt alienated from God by the Scribes and Pharisees. Further, by forgiving their sins, he was showing His authority as Son of God to be able to forgive the sins of those who came to him for forgiveness and to bring them into relationship with God. The Scribes and Pharisees saw only a Man. They were unable to see him for who he truly was: the Messiah: True God and True Man.

As we journey through Advent towards the birthday of the Lord on Christmas day, we are to imitate John the Baptist by pointing others in our lives to turn to Jesus. We, too, are to say to those in our lives that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Further, we, like Jesus, are to be loving with those who may be distant or away from God for whatever reason they may have. Jesus loves them regardless of their being away from Him and His Church.  We are to encourage them to come back into relationship with God by seeking forgiveness and healing in the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. It is by our encouragement to all people to come back to relationship with God during this Advent and Christmas season that we can help them receive the love, peace and forgiveness that can only come from Jesus Christ.