When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 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. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why 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: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.'
Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why 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: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.'
Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Today, we hear Jesus asking the people, "What did you go out to the desert to see?" As the celebration of the Lord's birth is nearing, we celebrate today the Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy. And today, Jesus, through the Gospel, invites us to reflect on what we go out to see.
Simbang Gabi is coming. What do we go out to see, especially at such an early hour? Do we go out to see the church all decorated for the season? Do we go out to see if there are any puto bumbong or bibingka sold near the church? Or maybe we go out to see our special someone and to chat with him or her near or even inside the church? Do we not go out to see Jesus and to receive Him in the Eucharist?
Christmas parties are happening everywhere. Do we see people start these parties by praying? Having a Christmas party without prayer is like holding a birthday party without inviting the celebrant.
Everytime we celebrate Christmas, we see a lot of things. We see decorations, attend parties, and watch commercials that try their best to get the audience' attention using Christmas as a theme. But are these things really what we go out to see? Do we really know it's Christmas because of ham or fruit salad? Shouldn't Jesus be the cause of our joy this Christmas? After all, you can spell Christmas without ham or fruit salad, but you just can't spell it without Christ.
Gaudete Sunday invites us to rejoice in the coming of our Savior. This joy is often preceded or accompanied by sorrow. But at the end of every sorrow, there is always joy. When we do not refuse challenges but face them courageously, in the end joy is our reward. In the same way, when we take the Advent journey of repentance and preparation, our joy will be complete on Christmas day, not because of anything or anyone else, but because of Jesus.
If only we see the joy that Jesus brings, the healing that He brings about in our lives, we would not mind carrying all the sorrow in the world, so long as Jesus will be our reward in the end. Jesus' light can outshine even the brightest Christmas light or parol.
This coming Christmas, may we all go out to see Jesus.
Simbang Gabi is coming. What do we go out to see, especially at such an early hour? Do we go out to see the church all decorated for the season? Do we go out to see if there are any puto bumbong or bibingka sold near the church? Or maybe we go out to see our special someone and to chat with him or her near or even inside the church? Do we not go out to see Jesus and to receive Him in the Eucharist?
Christmas parties are happening everywhere. Do we see people start these parties by praying? Having a Christmas party without prayer is like holding a birthday party without inviting the celebrant.
Everytime we celebrate Christmas, we see a lot of things. We see decorations, attend parties, and watch commercials that try their best to get the audience' attention using Christmas as a theme. But are these things really what we go out to see? Do we really know it's Christmas because of ham or fruit salad? Shouldn't Jesus be the cause of our joy this Christmas? After all, you can spell Christmas without ham or fruit salad, but you just can't spell it without Christ.
Gaudete Sunday invites us to rejoice in the coming of our Savior. This joy is often preceded or accompanied by sorrow. But at the end of every sorrow, there is always joy. When we do not refuse challenges but face them courageously, in the end joy is our reward. In the same way, when we take the Advent journey of repentance and preparation, our joy will be complete on Christmas day, not because of anything or anyone else, but because of Jesus.
If only we see the joy that Jesus brings, the healing that He brings about in our lives, we would not mind carrying all the sorrow in the world, so long as Jesus will be our reward in the end. Jesus' light can outshine even the brightest Christmas light or parol.
This coming Christmas, may we all go out to see Jesus.
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