Memorial of Saint
John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church
(Isaiah 45:6c-8.18.21c-25; Luke 7:18b-23)
There is a famous story about King Richard, the Lion-heart, and Saladin, the Muslim sultan, who met during the Third
Crusade. In the peaceful encounter Richard
attempted to show the capability of his sword by cutting through a steel bar.
Richard brought the sword down on the bar which broke in two. But the sultan was not overly impressed. He told Richard that his strength, not the sword’s
sharpness, caused the bar to split. Then
Saladin took out his scimitar, threw a silk scarf in the air and let it fall on
the sword’s blade. As it did, the scarf
tore in two. The scimitar proved to be
the keener sword. The story illustrates
the point Jesus makes in today’s gospel.
John the Baptist appears disillusioned by Jesus. He thought that Jesus would be the
long-awaited Messiah but has misgivings when Jesus does not preach fire much
less punish wrong-doers. Rather he eats
with sinners while calling them to conversion.
Jesus offers evidence of his being Messiah that he consistently assists
the needy. Doing so, Jesus fulfills
Isaiah’s prophecy in today’s first reading that the Lord will create
well-being.
We are often so fascinated by power that we tend to think
of it as God’s chief characteristic. It
is not. Love characterizes God in both testaments of Scripture. God’s love translates into care for His
people which is seen especially in the ministry of Jesus.
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