Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: A perfect and most convincing answer to the Question

Gospel Thoughts

*Advent Season : C Cycle  3rd Week - Wednesday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 7:18b-23*

*First Reading - Is 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25*

*Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: A perfect and most convincing answer to the Question*

*1) The Question about the Messiah*

The Gospel begins with an confused idea of the Messiah. Whether the Messiah has come or not? 

That's why John sends his disciples to clarify the doubt. 

*Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”*

This becomes an important point in today's Gospel. 

*2) Two ways of answering the Question*

Usually when some questions are asked in two ways the question can be answered. 

First one is to say *Yes* or *No* This becomes simple and stright answer 

Secondly one can inspire the other to think about the possibility of answer or one can help them to find an answer by themselves instead of supplying the readymade answers. 

Here Jesus uses the second style, that is, He motivates those who asked the question to find out the proper answer by helping them in certain ways 

*3) Self answers are more convincing than readymade answers by others*

Since the disciples were able to find an answer, by themselves, they were sure about the truthfulness of the answer 

Their answer was filled with what they had seen, what they had heard from the authentic person and from the inner personal experience. 

Such an answer was deeply rooted in the personal convictions and divine experience. 

*4) The ways of verifying the Answer*

Once again there are many ways to verify the answers, among them Jesus uses the following 

*Seeing and hearing*

Jesus asks the disciples of John to use these two faculties *See & Hear* in knowing the truth 

When they used these faculties, they came to the real situation and the miracles of Messiah. 

*5) Actions speak louder than Words*

When the disciples saw the mission of Jesus, the mission began to speak louder than anything else 

Since the Actions spoke very loudly, there was no need of anything else to answer the question. 

Jesus' actions spoke more louder than anything else about His identity. That is why John's disciples had no doubt about Jesus' identity at the end of episode. 

*6) What about my actions?*

Do they speak at all? 

Do they speak good or contrary to Good?

What are my actions which inspire others?

How can I become a action oriented man rather than anything else??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*