A reading from the gospel according to Luke 7:18B-23

At that time,
18B John summoned two of his disciples
19 and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
20 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?’”
21 At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind.
22 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.
23 And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

Reflection: Hope and Despair

John was in prison when he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask if He was the One. We can easily understand what he was feeling in those moments. Many times when we undergo trials, we have the tendency to lose sight of our heavenly goal. Then we question whether we are doing right or whether we are walking on the right path.

Life wasn’t meant to be a bed of roses or a magic carpet ride, to borrow words from popular songs. We often heard of the maxim that life is like wheel and it is true. That is why when we are down, let us remember that sooner or later things will change and that we will be going up. Indeed, when we have reached the lowest point in our life, there is no longer any other way to go but up. While we are breathing, there is always hope.

This hope comes directly from God Himself. When the world was in despair, He sent His only son to inaugurate His Kingdom. When John the Baptist and/or His disciples were in despair, the words and deeds of Jesus cast away their doubt. He is indeed the Messiah and that they should look not for another.

We have already heard the Good News proclaimed to us. Jesus performed many miracles before and every day He is still doing many miracles in our lives. There should be no more questions whether or not He is what we are waiting for to save us and the whole world.

Let us put our hope and faith in Jesus. He is coming!