GOSPEL POWER - DECEMBER 16, 2020 - WEDNESDAY (1ST DAY OF MISA DE GALLO)

Gospel: Lk 7:18b-23 

John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits; and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

REFLECTION

John, the rigid prophet of repentance, announced the coming of a figure who would be the agent of God’s judgment and vengeance, saying that, “His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” (Lk 3:17). But from prison, the news that reached him about Jesus did not match his announcement. Instead of judgment and vengeance, John heard of Jesus’ acts of mercy and compassion. He did not foresee that grace would have priority in God’s purposes. Like John, each of us has to learn that God is always greater than our expectations, hopes and dreams.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, may we humbly accept that our minds are too limited to conceive and imagine the truth, beauty and goodness of God. Amen.