December 16, 2001

John the Baptizer, in prison because of his confrontation with Herod over the King's unlawful marriage, sends disciples to ask Jesus if he really is the one they have been expecting. That action triggers one of the most fascinating exchanges in the Gospels.

John seems he had his doubts about who Jesus rally was. WHY? Among the varieties of explanations they were looking for one to emerge from the priestly class. Others looked for one like Moses. Many expected a son of David cut from the same regal cloth. After all, John was preaching Judgement day when the ax would be laid to the root.

So along comes Jesus telling stories, eating with sinners, and also healing. Hardly what anyone expected. Now, John could have known who Jesus really was and was only setting up the disciple to discover for themselves.

As is typical with Jesus when confronted with a question, he prompts the questioners to discover the answer for themselves. Rather than giving a simple yes or no, Jesus instructs them to tell John what they see and hear. In effect, what Jesus is telling John's disciples: "Look around and see what is happening, and the healings that are taking place." These healings of the blind, the deaf and the lame that made up so much of the ministries of Jesus were simply signs to prove the divinity of Jesus and special helps for the infant Christian community. This has born itself out as a way of life in the Church. The Church's requirement of documented healing miracles in the canonization process is an indication that healing beyond medical explanation is a continued expectation in the Church.

As we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent, is it imperative that such miracles exist for our faith to be strong?

SO THE QUESTION: WHAT KIND OF HEALING TAKES PLACE IN OUR DAILY ENCOUNTERS STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH?

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