When the men came to the Lord, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind.
In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus responds to this question from the disciples of John in a matter-of-fact way: “the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” In the first reading from Isaiah, God who sent his Son to be the Incarnate Word, proclaims “I am the LORD, there is no other; I form the light, and create the darkness, I make well-being and create woe; I, the LORD, do all these things.” In this is the Lordship of Christ—his majesty as the one who is to come; there is no other. As the psalmist says, “ I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.” What is there in this day that would obstruct me from the depth and breadth of joy in these words? “I am the LORD, there is no other.”
Be with me today, Lord, to aid me in taking all of this in. I am subject to many diversions the world offers, and I easily stray from hearing your word and living by it. Grant me the grace to fear being far from you; as the words of today’s Psalm proclaim, “Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him.”
Father in heaven, you form light and make well-being. Blessed are you, Lord; there is no other. Lord, as you say to the disciples of John the Baptist, say to me in my heart: “the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Saint John of the Cross, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.