– Scripture:
John the Baptizer
When Jesus finished placing this charge before his twelve disciples, he went on to teach and preach in their villages. John, meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples to ask, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?” Jesus told them,
“Go back and tell John what’s going on:
The blind see,
The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed,
The deaf hear,
The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side.
“Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves most blessed!”
Matthew 11:1-6 MSG
– Reflection:
What good news are you waiting for? Can you name it or put a finger on it? Perhaps you know precisely what you are waiting for because you’ve been waiting for it for a long time now, whether a call from the doctor, results from a test, or a message from a loved one. Still, other times I wonder if we are so worried about “bad news” that we don’t even know what good news we are waiting for! So take a moment, pause, and consider what good news you are waiting for.
Where do we go from here?
Jesus’ answer in the above scripture reminds the disciples and John of all the goodness that is going on around them and that this is the good news that they, as a community, have always been waiting for. Jesus pulls these images from Hebrew scripture, reminding us that God’s ways in the world are full of goodness to be seen, heard, and shared. This is the same good news that we long for and look for today – healing and wholeness, welcoming in the outcast, and sharing the good news with the poor.
May we remember this good news when we see it and share it with one another?
Our Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, we will continue to wait for good news to open our eyes, ears, and hearts to recognize your goodness at work. Empower us to join in the goodness of your work and share that good news with others. Amen.