By Claudia Mair Burney

Saturday, the third week of Advent

“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the 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.” Matthew 11:2-5

It was John who baptized Jesus. He saw the Spirit descend on him in the bodily form of a dove, and he heard the voice from heaven. Yet when he was imprisoned, he grew discouraged. Maybe he, like so many others, expected a great and mighty king, to come and banish his enemies, but what he found was a Messiah far more interested in healing than in destroying; in raising up the sick and even the dead, instead of smiting the wicked. “Are you the one?” he asked. So do we, because let’s face it, Jesus doesn’t always do exactly what we think he will, but we can rejoice in his goodness. His compassion extends further than we can imagine. We can trust him to right the world through the vast, incomprehensible love that he is.

You are indeed “the one.” Why do I doubt you? The moment I stop trusting you, you send your Word to confirm that you are busy creating good in my life, and in the whole world. But I get discouraged sometimes. Help me to release my expectations. I can’t see what you see. I am not God. I don’t know what is best, even for myself. Help me remember who you are, and embrace whatever it is you are doing in my life, and in the lives of others. I rejoice in your love.

“Come, Lord Jesus.”