The Word of God
Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!'
Matthew 11:11-15
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Prophets are people who speak the truth and their message is usually not easily accepted or listened to. Prophets challenge us and the false messages that we can so readily believe. What voices or messages am I really listening to in my life this Advent?
- John the Baptist calls us to repent. Repentance means responding to God's love by being transformed in your convictions and actions. It means turning towards God. What thoughts or behaviours do I need to turn towards God?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The prophets had an important role in the faith history of the people of Israel. They proclaimed the truth of God’s ways and called people back when they strayed. John the Baptist was a prophet who in his manner, his preaching and style of dress was like Elijah. John prepared the way for Jesus. We come later and we are in the privileged position of knowing Jesus. We are invited to listen to the message given.
- My position is privileged because of Jesus. How do I feel about that? I live in a world that needs prophets. Where am I called to be prophetic in standing for the truth? In my prayer I let the example of John speak to me in preparing for the coming of Jesus.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus has high praise indeed for John the Baptist. And yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he was. The dignity conferred on us by baptism is a challenge to live up to.
- God does not force himself upon us. We must ourselves work at being Christians, but also never forget that it is all the gift of God.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- This text seems confusing. Jesus on the one hand compliments John. There was no one greater than he. But almost in the same breath, he seems to reduce him to size. The least of the disciples is greater than John! In the words of an Irish poet: Jesus “had the knack of making people feel how small they really were; which meant as great as God had made them”!
- Lord, like you, my life is intertwined with people from all walks of life. As I move through today, let me hear your voice through the prophets of our time and welcome them into my life.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- What was it that placed John the Baptist below the least in the kingdom of heaven? He had preached the justice of God and the need for repentance; but he had not lived to see Jesus crucified, and in that, to see the unbelievable extent of God’s love for us.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Many of those listening to Jesus had also listened to John the Baptist. They may have wondered which master to choose. Jesus praises John highly as the greatest man ever born but he also hints that a new era has dawned. In the reign of God which Jesus brings about, everyone will be a child of God (John 1:12)!
- Lord, make me a better listener. Empty me of noise and clutter, to hear what needs to be heard. Let me not be afraid of silence, because then you can speak to me.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- God does not force himself upon us. We must ourselves seize the kingdom. In his book, Heaven Taken by Storm, the 17th century Puritan pastor, Thomas Watson, asks: ‘Do we use violence in prayer? Is the wind of the Spirit filling our sails? Do we pray in the morning as if we were to die at night? Do we thirst for the living God? Is our desire constant? Is this spiritual pulse always beating?’
- ‘Let anyone with ears listen!’ What is Jesus saying to me in this time of meditation?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- John proclaimed the gospel, allowing his disciples to leave him to follow Jesus. I think of what it might mean to be less so that Jesus might be more.
- I ponder on what Jesus said about the greatness of John. I think of what he had seen and heard so that I might profit from understanding what Jesus valued.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- I ponder on what Jesus said about the greatness of John. I think of what he had seen and heard so that I might profit from understanding what Jesus valued.
- John proclaimed the gospel, allowing his disciples to leave him to follow Jesus. I think of what it might mean to be less so that Jesus might be more.