The Holy Martyrs Probus, Tarachus and Andronicus (284-305); Our Venerable Father Cosmas of Jerusalem, Bishop of Maium and Composer of Canons (760); Our Holy Father Martin the Compassionate, Bishop of Tours (397).
Philippians 3:1-8; Luke 7:17-30.
Read Luke 7:17-30
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
In today’s Gospel reading, the disciples of St. John the Baptist approach Jesus with a question: John the Baptist has sent us to you saying, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Luke 7:19).
The Fathers of the Church all agree that John himself had no doubts about the identity of Jesus. After all, this was the one about whom he declared, “Behold the Lamb of God” and “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.” (John 1:29,32)
Why then does John send his disciples to ask this question of the Lord? In his commentary of this passage, St. Cyril of Alexandria observes that, “ [John] puts on the appearance of ignorance purposely, not so much that he might himself learn: for as being the forerunner he know the mystery: but that his disciples might be convinced, how great is the Saviour’s superiority, and that, as the word of the inspired Scripture had announced before, He is God, and the Lord That was to come.” (St. Cyril of Alexandria, Sermon XXXVII on The Gospel of Luke)
It was not John who needed the question answered but his disciples. Like the disciples of John, we too need to answer this question for ourselves: Jesus, are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?
This is not to question our basic good will or Christian commitment, but if we are honest with ourselves, we will recognize that we all have a divided heart. We profess Christ with our lips, but we frequently look for a saviour in other places – consumerism, entertainment, self-help books. Perhaps this is because there are many things that provide quick relief from our pain but do not place on us the demands that Jesus does – repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
True repentance is not quick – it is the work of a lifetime. This requires a fundamental change of mind (μετανοία) at the deepest core of our being. Often we don’t want to change, we are comfortable with the familiar, we may even have formed our identity around what is familiar to us. St. Cyril observes again that when first encountering Jesus, John’s disciples, “were even silently stung at His working miracles, and surpassing the Baptist in the greatness of the deeds wrought by Him. For on one occasion they even drew near to him, pining with envy and vexation, and with their heart still requiring to set free…For they did not wish any one else to baptize at all, and exalt himself against the honour of John”
In order to experience what John had prepared them for, his disciples needed to let go of their attachment to John’s ministry, and even to their own identity as his disciples. By sending them to Christ with this question, he gives them the opportunity for repentance. It is only by turning to Christ in repentance that we, like them, will be able to experience true salvation and healing.
Lord help us to truly repent a little more today: to whom else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Bible References