THURSDAY, DEC 14
Matthew 11: 11-15
Jesus said to the crowds:
“Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Grace: I ask for the grace to know Jesus in a deeper way that I may abundantly love and follow him.
No one born of woman is greater than John the Baptist, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. This doesn’t quite seem congruous. Why so great in one regard and seemingly so unimportant in another? John, himself, answers that question when they ask him if he is the Messiah. He replies unequivocally that he is not the Messiah and isn’t even worthy to fasten the Messiah’s sandal strap. How does he see the difference between himself and the Messiah?
The Messiah comes baptizing with fire, whereas John comes baptizing with water. What’s the difference? Water can only cleanse something which is encrusted in dirt. You can power-wash an old lamp that you find in the sand, but water will only make it clean; it can’t really change the lamp. Fire can melt down. Fire can change a shape. Fire can transform something into something else. Water is a symbol for repentance; fire is a symbol for grace.
John the Baptist can tell us what’s wrong with us, he can name our sin. But naming alone, valuable as it is, does not give us the grace, the strength, to change our behavior, to free ourselves of our addictions. We need fire, grace, and Jesus; not just water, repentance, and John. John deconstructs us; Jesus puts us back together. John is a prophet; Jesus is a Savior.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Is my spiritual journey based more on accepting what’s wrong with me or with leaning on Jesus to find the strength to make things better?
Am I trying to live my spiritual life more by my own willpower or by grace?
How is Jesus a source of grace for me and not just a moral teacher that I follow?
Would I feel comfortable fastening Jesus’ sandal strap?
The Contributor:
Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., is an award-winning author, theologian, teacher and speaker. He is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.
Learn more about Magis Ignatian Spirituality Programs
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.