(Please read the Scripture passages first, before the homily.)
John sent messengers to Jesus to ask who Jesus was. At that time, Jesus was curing many of their diseases, infirmities and disabilities. He had even raised the son of the widow of Nain from the dead. Besides Jesus was preaching good news to the poor. So, who was Jesus?
To answer that question, we should probably ask another question. Who can form light and create the darkness, create a world where things live, or be the source of just deeds and power (see Isaiah 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25)?
If the answer to the second question is God, you have answered correctly. The second answer is the same answer for the first question.
John in prison was facing his coming death. He could very well have been questioning the purpose of his life or puzzling whether he had fulfilled his vocation. His question could come across as a request that Jesus give him some comfort in these closing days of John’s life.
Jesus’ response to John’s messengers directed John to examine the evidence and come to his conclusion.
We read or hear this story in the context of our lives, in the midst of a pandemic, of charges of election fraud, in the midst of snowy weather, amid all the complications of our daily lives. We can ask where God is in all this or who Jesus is for me in all this.
Jesus cures and preaches the gospel to us in many ways. He works through the Church, but he also can work through the CDC and medical professions to heal. He can also work through our political processes or other people in our lives.
We have signs of Jesus’ work among us. We may have to dig a little to see it, but the signs are here. Perhaps in a special way in this season, we can see signs of the work of Jesus in all the organizations asking for donations to help people in need, or in people who are putting in longer hours to keep streets clean or move packages and correspondence from one place to another. How are we doing the work of Jesus today?
John wanted to know who Jesus was. What signs can we give to those wanting to know where Jesus is today?