Coffee With God

Reflection: Luke 7:18-23

John is confused about the identity of the Messiah. While preaching in the desert and baptising the people, he had spoken about a different Messiah. But now, when he is in prison, he gets some contradicting reports – that Jesus was moving with tax collectors and prostitutes – that was not something the Messiah was supposed to do. Wasn’t the Messiah supposed to throw off Roman rule and give Israel her liberty? But, now where were the armies? Where was the winnowing fan, the axe laid at the foot of the tree, and the fire from heaven as John expected? Maybe, he begins to wonder that Jesus is not the messiah. There had been false Messiah’s before. Jesus answers his doubts with six new realities that manifest his mission: the healing of the blind, the deaf, the lepers, the crippled, the resurrection of the dead and the proclamation the gospel to the poor – and this is precisely the mission of the Messiah. These are the signs of God’s presence in the world. There might be occasions when people around us question us about our faith. Are you believing in a true God? Today, it remains the responsibility of the Church, – the responsibility of each of us – to make the presence of the Messiah felt in the world. The Mission of Jesus to liberate the lame, the deaf, the blind, the poor, the ostracized – in every sense of those words – still needs to be done. Christmas is a reminder to tell us of our responsibility to bring healing and liberty to our homes, our neighbourhood, to our Church. Jesus invites us to heal the sick: That our life example may inspire those who are crippled and are unable to move a step towards the Lord and towards their brothers and sisters, that they may walk quickly. That those who are deaf to the word of God may listen and receive the joy of the Good News through every word that we speak, and be guided by it. Whoever is ashamed of himself of the leprosy of sin that keeps him away from God and from the people, may feel cleansed and confident. Whoever is involved in acts of violence and killing may turn to be promoters of life and love. Whoever regards oneself miserable and hopeless may begin to listen to the good news. John doubts just like we doubt. What do we do when we doubt? When we doubt, we stop reading our Bibles. We stop praying. But, Not John. When he begins to doubt, when his faith begins to waver, he reaches out to Jesus for answers. So, when in doubt, go where the light is. Do not neglect time with God and with the Bible.