Read Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25, Ps. 85:9-14, Luke 7:19-23
“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 good news brought to them.” (Luke 7:22)
John the Baptist from prison sent people to Jesus to ask: “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Jesus did not give a straight response; he allowed his actions to speak. At that very moment, Jesus was curing many people of their diseases and plagues, and evil spirits and restoring sight to many who were blind.
By his actions, Jesus was practically fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Isaiah: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…” (Isaiah 61:1-2).
If Jesus was not the expected one, he would not have been able to work these miracles. So, he didn’t need to tell John “I am he” or “I am not he.” All he said was “Go and report my works, the blind can see again, the deaf can hear, the lame can walk, lepers are cleansed, dead are raised up, the poor have good news proclaimed to them.”
If actions speak louder than words, we are called to examine ourselves today. What sort of things are our actions proclaiming about us? What are my actions in preparing for Christmas saying about my understanding of Jesus Christ?
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may my life be worthy of the name I bear as a Christian. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint John of the Cross, Priest, Doctor. Bible Study: Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25, Ps. 85:9-14, Luke 7:19-23)
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu