The saving power of God was always manifested already in the A.T., but above all we see very clearly in Christ Jesus. The Baptist, who continues to be the character of this week, to prepare the way of the Lord and to give his disciples the opportunity to be convinced of the coming of the Messiah, sends them from prison with the crucial question: is it you, or do we wait? to another? The Baptist directs his disciples to Jesus.
Jesus response is very concrete and full of pedagogical meaning. It is his works that demonstrate that in him the messianic signs announced by the prophets and that we have been hearing in previous weeks are fulfilled: he restores sight to the blind, heals many of their ailments and evil spirits, raises the dead, and to the poor he announces the Good News. That is the best proof that God is acting: consolation, healing, peace, the announcement of the Good News of salvation.
As the Baptist helps to recognize Jesus, do we also act as pioneers around us? You don’t have to be a priest or bishop for that. Every Christian can, in this Advent, first of all grow himself in his faith, and then transmit it to others, evangelize, lead to Jesus. Parents can be forerunners of Jesus with their children, friends with friends, catechists with their group.
And sometimes the other way around: the children for the parents, the disciples for the teacher. Depending on who helps and accompanies whom, from their faith and conviction. Everyone who is working in his own way in the field of evangelization, is bringing salvation to this world, is being a prophet and precursor of Advent for others. So that they do not keep waiting for another, and they find out that the Saviour sent by God has already come.
For this reason, dear brothers and sisters, the messianic program has not yet been fulfilled. They do not reign in the measure that the prophets promised justice and peace. The messianic program is only inaugurated, it goes on until the end. And we are the ones who carry it forward. The more justice and hope are manifested around us, the better we are living Advent and preparing for Christmas.
Fr. Antonio Majeesh George Kallely, OFM
¡Peace and good!
