By Abbie Kaser, a senior Spanish major from Elk Grove, Illinois
Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)
When I was younger, one of my favorite parts of Advent each year was getting a new piano book of Christmas music to play. It was from one of these books that I first heard the song “Mary Did You Know,” which quickly became one of my favorites. I played it over and over again, to the point where my parents mentioned that they wouldn’t mind hearing something different. Some of the lyrics are reflected in this passage from Matthew:
The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.
John’s question regarding Jesus is met with the assurance that he is indeed the Messiah. In response, Jesus promises this list of miracles that will come. This message of hope is a significant theme throughout the Advent and Christmas season. For most of us, this hope does not appear in the form of a miracle healing described in these verses or like a plot from a cheesy holiday movie. Amidst months of transitions and challenges, I find hope and comfort in the love of my family, reuniting with friends and enjoying music of the season. No matter what is going on in my life and in the world, Christmas comes each year without fail. In that fact alone, I find hope.
Rather than being admonished for questioning the true arrival of the Messiah, John instead receives praise from Jesus. In times of uncertainty, asking questions is a perfectly acceptable response. As graduation approaches, I do not know what is in store for me in the future. What I do know is that Christmas is coming, and there is always hope for the future.
Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.