“Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another?” John the Baptist to Jesus, in today’s Gospel Matthew 11:2-11.
‘Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.’ Henri Nouwen, in his book ‘Here and Now’.
Today is Gaudete Sunday, the name originating from the opening sentence of the Latin mass: Gaudete in Domino semper – Rejoice in the Lord always. It marks a turning point from the solemn and and penitential nature of Advent towards the joy of Christmas as it draws nearer – pink vestments and candles are often used instead of the usual purple as the season lightens. Rejoice! is therefore today’s word for the online Advent calendar, followed by Creation, Wonder, Authority, Weary, King and Good News.
However, today’s Gospel contrasts with Rejoice! for John the Baptist is now in prison where he will eventually be beheaded. He sends a message to Jesus, asking if he is the one awaited or whether another will come – John is clearly pondering his life and ministry as he awaits his fate. That is not yet sealed, but Jesus isn’t doing what was expected of the promised Messiah – Rome is still powerful, Herod is still corrupt and the reason John is in prison for confronting him, with the Kingdom of Israel not yet restored as anticipated. Many are still oppressed and imprisoned or expecting a powerful Messiah who will overcome all this. John, this mighty and fearless prophet, is having doubts as so little seems to have changed.
In reply, Jesus simply points to what happens wherever he goes – the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and good news is preached to the poor. Jesus quotes from Isiah 35, 1-10, the Old Testament reading for today and also the passage he had read in the synagogue at Nazareth when he began his ministry. The prophecy of Isaiah, eight hundred years before, is being fulfilled in Jesus and John, who had spent his life preparing the way for him, is being reminded of what may have become obscured in the gloom of his prison cell. Lives are being changed and scripture is being fulfilled – but in God’s way and God’s time, regardless of what his followers expect or long for. This message doesn’t change John’s circumstances, but it can give him hope and peace of mind to realise that his work has not been in vain despite its curtailing through his imprisonment.
John’s example and Jesus’ reply may hearten us as we also face understandable doubts about, or curtailment of, life and faith in a world of so much suffering and uncertainty today. John, the Forerunner, questions Jesus’ earthly ministry and is killed before the resurrection, the ascension and Pentecost – in contrast, we are blessed to live in a post-Easter faith which can be the source of joy and hope whatever is happening around us. Today, we are commanded to Rejoice! – it’s an imperative, not a choice! To choose to look for joy is an option not always taken and yet it can transform and change lives – see the animation of The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas on the Church of England’s website or YouTube for a children’s tale about joy which may delight weary adults too. Rejoice! If that’s hard today, perhaps these verses in Philippians 4:4-7 might be a good starting point:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.