Coffee With God

Reflection: Luke 7: 24-30

Disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus, whether he was the One who was expected, or should they wait for someone else. The answer was to look around and see how the prophesies are being fulfilled. The blind, the lame, the sick are being healed – the hand of God is at work. After the messengers of John had left, Jesus begins to comment about John to the people around him. “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John.” Among the long line of prophets his was a unique privilege. His special role was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.” Jesus appreciates what John has accomplished in his unique mission. The Lord explains the greatness of John the Baptist to explain to his disciples the magnitude of their own vocation to be the disciples of the Son of God. John came with a unique mission, so important in the eyes of God. But, imagine the opportunity of the disciples of Jesus, to be companions of the Son of God! John the Baptist, although came with such an important mission, did not have the opportunity to live with Christ. This is the greatness of those who receive the call to be disciples of Jesus. This was a privilege that John was never to know – God walks with us as our companion – and this is the message of advent and Christmas. Today, half way through our preparations for Christmas, Jesus stops us on our way and poses these questions to us: “What do you go out to see? What are your true values? What impresses you? Our fellowship with Christ is something for which we must praise and thank God. It is humbling to think that we are in a way more privileged than John. The life of John the Baptist can be compared to that of Moses of the Old Testament, who led the Israelites to the promised land, but does not enter it himself. John is not part of the community that the Messiah gathered about himself. He did not live to experience life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the sending of the Holy Spirit…In that sense, we are all more privileged than John the Baptist. We have come to see and hear what he did not see or hear. In acknowledging with gratitude to God this privilege, this grace, we are also aware of the call that goes with it. The more we are given, the more will be asked of us. We have the mission to bring the joy of the Christmas – to those around us – especially to those in need.