HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO DOES NOT LOSE FAITH

 “SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”

Daily Spiritual Reflections

Wednesday, 16th December 2020. 

Third Week of Advent

Is 45:6-8,18,21-25; 

Ps 85:9-14; 

Lk 7:19-23

HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO DOES NOT LOSE FAITH

In the Gospel text of today, we have an encounter between Jesus and the disciples of John the Baptist, who come to speak to him on their master’s behalf. John was the voice crying in the wilderness, the one proclaiming, in no uncertain terms, that the Messiah was to come. He preached about the kingdom of God and called everyone to repentance and faith in the Messiah. However, later, shadows of doubt crept into his mind and his personal struggles began to take a toll on his own faith, lying in Herod’s prison, wondering, thinking, and considering: Was Jesus truly the Messiah? Was he really the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of God’s people? 

How does Jesus reassure John? How does he convince John’s disciples? Jesus answers through actions and by quoting Scripture. Jesus says, “I want you to see for yourselves.” In that hour, Luke tells us, he healed those with diseases and plagues, cast out evil spirits and restored sight to the blind. Jesus shows John’s disciples that he was doing exactly what Scripture says the Messiah would do and tells them to go back and tell John what they have seen and heard. He knew that John would understand enough for him to cast away all doubt and apprehension, and be strengthened to stay faithful to his mission through the suffering.

When John’s faith was being tested, he went to the one place we must go if ours is ever tested; he went to Jesus, for answers and for strength! Often, plagued by doubts and temptations against the faith, many do not go to Jesus, but would rather build their case on hearsay. 

What do we do when our faith is shaken? What do we do when our beliefs collide with situations that challenge them? What do we do when the very foundations of our secure life are shaken and we are thrown amidst chaos?

Response: Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness.

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