Sunday, Dec. 14, is the Third Sunday of Advent. Mass readings: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11.

The Gospel opens with John, in prison, sending his disciples to Jesus with this question: “Are you he who is to come, or should we look for another?” It seems a strange question coming from the one who pointed Jesus out and spoke so powerfully of him! 

Many of the Fathers of the Church interpreted John’s question as designed to teach his reluctant disciples to follow Jesus. However, another view takes the text at face value and sees John’s question as a sincere one manifesting puzzlement — even discouragement. Many great biblical heroes are depicted as imperfect and struggling to understand matters of faith. The Gospel is best seen in three stages. 

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

With delight, John had pointed out Christ: “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). But now, perhaps, John is puzzled and struggling to understand. 

Where was the exaltation of the lowly and the casting down of the mighty? Where was the axe being laid to the root of the tree? Jesus was not doing this sort of thing at all. He was healing the sick, going about towns and villages, preaching and summoning people to repentance and faith. So perhaps John’s question is genuine. 

Jesus gives an answer to John’s disciples that draws from a different tradition of Messiah texts than those John had emphasized. The Old Testament texts that spoke of the Messiah were complex. While some texts spoke of the Messiah’s wrath toward the wicked and unjust, others spoke of his healing and mercy. Jesus thus gives the following answer to those sent by John: 

“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”

Jesus reminds John, and us, that the Messiah would bring healing and peace. And to those who are disappointed in his lack of wrathful vengeance, Jesus says something quite remarkable: 

“And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

We see from Jesus a period of grace and mercy, not a sudden, swift ushering in of justice before God’s chosen time. Jesus goes on to praise John the Baptist as the greatest man ever born of woman to this point. And yet this offer of Christ’s saving mercy to those who repent is so great that even 

“the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” 

Grace and mercy surpass any worldly excellence, for, by them, God gives heavenly excellence. Now is a time for grace and mercy that will prepare us for the day of judgment that will surely come.