The kingdom belongs to those who like Jesus, have the courage to create community

Good morning, happy Thursday, and many blessings.

In today’s Gospel (Matthew

11:11-15

), Jesus gives an opinion on John the Baptist. Compared to the persons of the Old Testament, there is no one greater than John. John is the greatest of all: greater than Jeremiah, greater than Abraham, greater than Isaiah! But, compared to the New Testament, John is inferior to all. The smallest in the Kingdom is greater than John! How can we understand this apparently contradictory qualification that Jesus makes about John?

John was great! The greatest of all! And the smallest in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than John. John is the greatest because he was the last echo of the Old Testament. It was John who, because of his fidelity, was finally able to indicate the Messiah to the people: “Behold, here is the Lamb of God!” (Jn

1:36

), and the long history that began with Abraham gains its meaning.

But John was not capable by himself of understanding the importance of the kingdom of God in Jesus. He had a doubt: “Are You the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?” The ancient history alone does not communicate sufficient light to understand all of the Good News of God which Jesus brings to us. The new was hidden in the old.

The prophets had an important role in the faith history of the people of Israel. They proclaimed the truth of God’s ways and called people back when they strayed. John the Baptist was a prophet who in his manner, his preaching and style of dress was like Elijah. John prepared the way for Jesus. We come later and we are in the privileged position of knowing Jesus. We are invited to listen to the message given.

My position is privileged because of Jesus. How do I feel about that? I live in a world that needs prophets. Where am I called to be prophetic in standing for the truth? In my prayer I let the example of John speak to me in preparing for the coming of Jesus.

Many of those listening to Jesus (ears or heart) had also listened to John the Baptist. They may have wondered which master to choose. Jesus praises John highly as the greatest man ever born but he also hints that a new era has dawned. In the reign of God which Jesus brings about, everyone will be a child of God (John 1:12)!

John proclaimed the gospel, allowing his disciples to leave him to follow Jesus. I think of what it might mean to be less so that Jesus might be more.

The kingdom belongs to those who, like Jesus, have the courage to create community. Do you also have this courage? Jesus helped John to better understand the facts by means of the bible. Does the bible help me to better understand the events of my life?

Blessings,

Fr. Luis+