Reading I: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
Reading II: James 5:7-10
GOSPEL: Matthew 11:2-11
Be Careful What You Pray For!
A lady was looking for the perfect Birthday Card for her husband and eventually she found it. On the outside, it said “Sweetheart, you are the answer to my prayers.” On the inside, it read, “You aren’t exactly what I prayed for, but you are a great answer!”
St. John the Baptist had been praying for the Messiah.
I guess Jesus wasn’t what John expected. Perhaps he was expecting the fire-and-brimstone type leader. Perhaps he was looking for a person spouting the laws and the rules of faith. But that’s not what Jesus was.
Instead, Jesus was a man who healed, loved the oppressed, and preached the love of God. Jesus connected with all people regardless of their past, occupation, or sins. He ate, prayed, and was with them in all of their happy and sad times.
Isn’t this good news for us?
If John had doubts, then what does that say about the doubts we may struggle with? If the cousin of the Messiah can hold such doubts, doesn’t that say it is okay for us to ask our questions?
The truth is, our doubts don’t bother Jesus. In fact, all these questions help us search and find more truth and greater understanding. The more we question, the closer we are to the Lord.
The way that John dealt with his doubts was by being open to what Jesus had to say. He listened to Jesus, prayed to God, and then allowed the Spirit to change him. This is the way that our doubts or a faith crisis can help us get closer to Christ. The important thing is that we continue to search. It is important to keep listening to Jesus, praying to God, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us. Continuing to seek is what will allow us to understand.
If we are open to God, we will change.
A change of the heart can be a great thing. We see what happened when John’s questions were answered. He spent his life and his death preparing the way of the Lord.
John had doubts, we have doubts, and most people of faith have had doubts. What’s important is how we respond to our doubts. If we listen, pray, and are open to change, then we will become the people God is calling us to be!
Remember the lady who bought the card for her husband? Sometimes when we pray to God – even in our wonder and doubt – and ask for God to respond to us, our prayers will be answered. We may not receive exactly what we had in mind, but God will give us a great answer – we simply have to continue to look for it.
Life Applications:
What doubts or questions do you have about God?
How do you feel about your doubts and questions?
How has God answered your prayer?
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Cycle A):
Original article by Dcn. Jim Corder, 2004-2022.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.