Isaiah 45:6b-8.18.21b-25,
Psalm 85:9ab and 10.11-12.13-14,
Luke 7:19-23 Full Readings
Blessed Honoratus KozminskiWho is to Come?
Brethren, from the first reading, we see Isaiah reminding the Israelites of One God after the exile in Babylon. Fresh from the land of exile and slavery, where they experienced polytheism (the idea of many gods) and religious prostitution, the people of Israel needed to be reminded that they have only one God, who is able to do all things well for them, and under whom they shall experience victory and glory. That reminder is equally important for us today in the face of great confusion arising from different life challenges. No matter what, fix your gaze firmly on Jesus who gives sight to the blind, makes the lame walk, cleanses the leper, raises the dead and preaches the good news to the poor. As you place your trust and fix your gaze on him, may the good news of salvation and a breakthrough be preached in the ugly and challenging situations of your life.
In the Gospel, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the one who was to come. Jesus does not give them the direct answer but tells them to go and tell John that lame are walking, blind are seeing, deaf are hearing, and that the gospel is being preached to the poor and that many miracles are being performed. From this we really know Jesus' Identity and indeed the identity of the Messiah who is to come.
Brethren, the one we are waiting for is the one who is to change all of our life situations and bring us the good news of the kingdom of heaven. The Jews would not accept Jesus because they thought that the Messiah would liberate them politically from Roman powers which Jesus did not do. Jesus however, shows them the real meaning of the Messiah, the one who is to bring good news to all the people and heal all our infirmities.
The Messiah performs the signs of God's kingdom power not just the kingdom of this earth. This is why he does not meet the expectations of political Messiah as the Jews were expecting. The miracles which Jesus performed and the message he proclaimed about the coming of God's kingdom in his person was a direct fulfillment of what the prophets had foretold many centuries before (see Isaiah 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1). Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom and new life for all who were oppressed by afflictions, infirmities, sin and guilt, and demonic spirits (see Isaiah 61:1-2).
Jesus came in the power of God's kingdom to release those bound up by sin, fear, and hopelessness. His miracles and exorcisms are direct signs of God's power and presence and they confirm that the Father has sent his only begotten Son to be our Messiah (which means the Anointed One) and Savior.
Through Jesus' atoning death on the cross and through the power of his resurrection we receive the first-fruits of God's kingdom - the forgiveness of our sins, adoption as sons and daughters of God, new life in the Holy Spirit, and the promise that we will be raised to everlasting life with God in his kingdom. The Gospel is "good news" for all who receive it and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you ready for the one who is to come with the good news?
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Set my heart aflame with the fire of your love and with the power of the Holy Spirit that I may boldly witness the joy of the Gospel and serve your kingdom wherever you place me. Amen
Be blessed
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