In today’s gospel passage, Saint Luke recounts a conversation among the followers of John the Baptist. They tell Jesus that John has sent them to inquire if he is “the one” or if they should expect another. His answer is as clear as it is cryptic.
And Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: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.”
Jesus could have said, “Yes, I am he.” Instead, the Lord pointed to the unmistakable signs that the reign of GOD had begun. I wonder how John must have felt when he heard the answer to his question. I suspect there was peace. John, who proclaimed his coming, faced his own death knowing that the promise had been fulfilled.
The peace of John is our peace. Though life is hard and the sufferings of the human condition plentiful, we, who believe, know that GOD has already saved us – predestined us for eternal glory by our baptism. The signs of the reign of GOD continue to abound, though they are less dramatic than the miracles Jesus performed. Strangers live the gospel together and bind themselves to the messy work of life-long loving. These same strangers share all things in common, and relinquish control of their lives in favor of a greater plan – a chance to help build the kingdom on earth. These flawed, hopeful sinners practice constant forgiveness of one another because love demands it. They pray and work, day in and day out. And at the end of the journey, they close their eyes among friends, certain, as John was, that the promised One has come and will make good on the promise because in the monastery, “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.” These strangers, whom I now call my "sisters," are my sign that the reign of GOD has begun. They have given me hope. They have given me the peace of John.
Blessings and love to you all...
- Sister Vicki
