Third Week of Advent Reflection
Sr. Susan Marie Lindstrom

In today’s gospel, John the Baptist asks Jesus, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Mt. 11:3) 
 

Jesus neither affirms nor denies that he is the One who is to come.  Instead, he speaks of the many ways that the poor and marginalized have been healed and enabled to once again be part of the community.  Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would indeed make the blind to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear.  In Jesus response, John would have recognized Isaiah’s prophesy about the Messiah, the One who is to come. 
 

On this third Sunday of Advent, when we are called to rejoice even as we await Jesus’ coming, when our wreath glows brighter as another candle’s light shines forth, I hear in Jesus’ response to John an invitation to be light for others, to build the Kingdom of which we are also a part.   
 

I hear Jesus ask, “Are YOU the one?  Are YOU the one who will hear the cries of the poor and marginalized, who will help those despairing find hope, who will restore sight to those blinded by fear or ignorance, who will help the deaf to hear a word of encouragement in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds us in the world today? 
 

Benedict understood that the call to discipleship was a call to serve and care for others.  In Chapter 4 of the Rule, “The Tools for Good Works,” he reminds us that we are to love our neighbor, and then challenges us to go deeper: “Your way of acting should be different than the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else.” 

 
Jesus assured John of the reality of the coming of the Kingdom.  May our actions and words, our intentions and prayers echo the good news that Emmanuel is indeed in our midst.