By William Selvaraj csc –
Readings: Is 45: 6-8, 18, 21-25; Lk 7: 18-23
We are fragile human beings. Doubts occur in our life when we lose focus or when we want to know more about something. Through the gospel reading of the day, we can easily notice that John the Baptist doubted whether Jesus was truly a Messiah or not.
The reason is that John was the one who made the way for the Lord and knew that the one who comes has a mighty power and will rule the world. But John got the news from his disciples that Jesus’ mission consisted of performing miracles and proclaiming God’s mercy and forgiveness.
As followers of Christ, we are entrusted with a mission to do in our lifetime while here on the earth. Jesus’ mission was to bring God’s blessing to the oppressed and the downtrodden, giving sight to the blind, making lame to walk, skin diseases be cleansed, make the deaf hear, raise the dead to life, proclaim good news to the poor, fight for justice, and help the poor. Above all, our mission is to fulfil the ‘Works of Mercy’.
The arrival of the Messiah is a sign of new life. I can have a share in the new life only when I receive him in my heart. In order to make him take possession of me, I should allow him to take away my blindness and deafness. Doubts are good if it leads me to find the truth. John’s doubt gives me a clear vision that I need to deepen my faith to recognise that I am entrusted with some sort of mission on this earth.