Who do you believe is the greatest human being to have lived? In today’s Gospel Jesus says it is John the Baptist: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist . . . .” (Mt. 11:11) Certainly, John the Baptist was impressive: He was the culmination of all the Old Testament prophets; he had the courage to be unpopular; he was strong and unwavering, clearly announcing the arrival of the Messiah. But rather surprisingly, Jesus continues: “Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
We are those “least in the kingdom of heaven.” John the Baptist lacked that which the simplest Christian has, what we have: John never knew of the Cross; he never saw the Cross of Christ. So, he never knew the full revelation of God’s love.
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice Sunday). That’s why the vestments are rose colored and flowers adorn the altar. Why should we rejoice? Because Christmas draws near. But the more complete reason lies in three things: the crib, the Cross, and the Church.
- If we look to the crib, we see the hope of new life, and the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
- If we look to the Cross, we see the assurance of God’s love, and the redemptive value of suffering.
- If we look to the Church, we see the abiding presence of God in the world; His grace,
His sacraments, and His forgiveness even now.
This Wednesday marks the 182nd anniversary of the publication of the world’s best loved Christmas story, Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, published December 17, 1843.
- It’s called by literary scholars the “most outstanding Christmas myth of modern literature.”
- Dickens said that he laughed and cried over this short novel as he did over no other.
- A Christmas Carol has changed hearts and spread love at Christmas for 182 years.
- Because it’s all about the changed heart of Ebenezer Scrooge and his spreading love.
How much more should the truth of God’s love for us (crib, Cross, Church) change our hearts and inspire us to spread Christian love this Advent and Christmastide?
We have been blessed even beyond John the Baptist. We, the “least in the kingdom of heaven,” are greater than he! John knew the crib, but we know the love of God in the Cross and in the Church.
On Gaudete Sunday we should be confident to rejoice, knowing God’s love for us, trusting that He can change our hearts to be ever more like His.
-Fr. Don Saunders, SJ
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