Jesus said to the crowds:
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
Today, Jesus points out the importance of John the Baptist, who is a powerful model reminding us of the value of simplicity, single mindedness, and devotion. John the Baptist is always pointing to Jesus as the one that he is heralding. During this advent season, we have yet another opportunity to examine where we are putting our focus and, if necessary, have a chance to do a bit of a course correction.
May that course correction provide us with grace so that we too can point out for others the Lamb of God — the one who takes away the sins of the world.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.