"Are you really the one, or are we to wait for another?" John's question is often our question too. When John's disciples ask the question of Jesus, he answers "Go and tell John what you hear and see". Just as John's disciples brought a message of hope to their teacher in prison, we are privileged to bring this same good news in our time. The deaf shall hear! Good news delivered to the poor! In sharing the gospel with others we can begin to realize that shame is not shame any longer. Illness is not illness. Even death is not death when we know that Jesus has conquered death!

Jesus and John the Baptist

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

Edith Wharton