Today’s Gospel reading presents to us the consummation of John the Baptist’s mission which was shown in its full bloom in last week’s Gospel. John’s whole purpose in life was to prepare for and point to Jesus as Messiah. Here we find a paradox that contains a strong lesson for us. A careful reading of the scriptural evidence indicates that John the Baptist never really knew Jesus. He never became one of his followers, and even after Jesus began his ministry, John continued to preach and to baptize and to instruct his own disciples. It would seem that the events surrounding Jesus’ baptism, striking though they were (see Mt 3:13-17), were not conclusive to an observer like John. His question from prison (vv 2-3) was an honest inquiry, and shows John concerned to fulfill his task even in the face of uncertainty.

The lesson for us is that John knew his mission, and he faithfully fulfilled it to the end without ever being privileged to see fully or participate personally in the fruits of that mission. He was not even able to confirm from his own experience that he was on the right track.

Experience, however, is uppermost in what Jesus presents as his credentials to John’s disciples (vv 4-5). He does not try to prove his identity by claims and arguments. He simply says, "What do you see and hear? Judge for yourself."

The paradox of the greatest and the least, which concludes this Gospel passage, gives a foretaste of Jesus’ later teaching about true greatness in the kingdom of God (see Mt 18:1-4; 20:20-28). Healing the sick, strengthening the weak, sharing the good news with the poor — all characteristics of the messianic reign — are continued in our day by those who make themselves least through selfless service.

This prophecy speaks in beautiful poetic images of the restoration of God’s people in their return from exile. This renewal of life and nationhood is depicted as a new exodus, because the original exodus from Egypt, nearly a thousand years before, was the primal "salvation event" for Israel — all God’s saving deeds afterward fall into the same pattern of liberation, and are seen as extensions of the one great saving event. The particular care toward the weak and the unfortunate — they are the first to come into the new kingdom — is a typical way of emphasizing that God’s concern reverses human priorities and interests. For the Christian, this restoration becomes real today through commitment to serve others in Christ’s name. Service on behalf of the poor, the oppressed and the helpless is not an optional nicety — it is the heart of what it means to be a Christian.

This psalm of praise echoes the qualities of God’s compassion and power as depicted in the Isaiah reading. Response: "Lord, come and save us."

Patience is a virtue proper to the restoration of the kingdom of God. It is not passive waiting or idleness, but rather calls for perseverance in the active work of healing through reconciliation.

1. Discuss the thoughts and feelings of John the Baptist in prison. What sort of faith does it take to remain detached from seeing the results of your lifetime dedication? What does this say to your own life?

2. Christmas is often an occasion to extend a hand to those who are in need. What can you do to continue that same spirit of service throughout the year?