Reflection for Thursday 2nd Week of Advent 

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Today's WORD of GOD 

Matthew 11: 11-15 

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. 

 

Today's Reflection 

The Role of John the Baptist

What JESUS Said about John was Intended Not only to Praise Him, but for the People’s Profit, to Revive Their Memory of John’s Ministry, which had been well Attended, but which was in Danger of Being Forgotten. 

HE Reminded Them of John’s Merits “What did U Go Out into the Desert to See?” HE Notes how John was a Firm, Resolute Man, Not a Reed Shaken with the Wind — who would Bow to Pressure. He was Not Wavering in His Principles but was Remarkable for His Steadiness in Face of Herod’s Rage.

John was a Self-Denying Man, Mortified to This World. Was He a Man Clothed in Soft Garments? If so, They would Not have Gone into the Desert to See Him, but Gone to the Royal Court to Admire Fine Fashions. They Went Out to See a Man Clothed in Camel’s Hair, & a Leather Belt about His Loins, Living a Simple Lifestyle in Tune with the Desert He Lived In, & the Doctrine He Preached there was One of Repentance. John’s Appearance was Rough & Simple, but His Message had Vigour & They Flocked to Hear Him. He was a Prophet, JESUS Said, & More than a Prophet. John had Said of Himself, He was Not the Great Prophet, the Messiah; but JESUS Says of Him that He was More than a Prophet. He was the Great Forerunner who Prepared People’s Hearts to Receive the Message of JESUS. 

John Saw JESUS' Day Coming like the Day Dawning, when He Pointed to HIM & Said, ‘Behold the Lamb of GOD!’

High Praise Indeed

What JESUS Says about John the Baptist in Today’s Gospel is High Praise Indeed, “of All the Children Born of Women, Greater than John the Baptist has Never Been Born.” John is Deserving of such Praise because, as JESUS Says in that Reading, He is the Prophet whose Coming All of the Jewish Scriptures Looked Forward to. He is the Elijah Figure who, It was Believed, would Immediately Precede the Coming of the Messiah. Yet, having Praised John the Baptist for His Unique Status, JESUS Goes on to Make an even More Remarkable Statement, “the Least in the Kingdom of Heaven is Greater than He is.”  Advent is a Time to Give Thanks for the Gift of the Gospel & of Our Faith Response to It. It is also a Time to Heed the Call to Grow in Our Appreciation of that Gift & in the Quality of Our Response to It.

Good Morning 

Have a beautiful day 

GOD Bless Us All