Matthew 11:2-11
Lead in: Jerome Kodell, OSB, describes the situation in Matthew 11:2. John the Baptist is at a very low point in his life. Herod has thrown him into prison.
Prompt: Reflect on a low point in your life when nothing seemed to be going right. How did you
respond and what got you to where you are today?
Lead in: In prison, John hears news about Jesus and it puzzles him. John was expecting a messiah who would come with wrath and clean up the mess the world was in. But now he hears of Jesus who is preaching forgiveness and compassion for sinners.
Prompt: How has your image of God changed over the years? Is it a God of judgment or a God of mercy? Or is it a bit of both? Explain.
Lead in: When John hears of the amazing things that Jesus is doing, he sends the question to
Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?” Jesus responds with a quote from Isaiah which describes the actions he is been performing. They are signs of the coming “year of favor from the Lord”.
Prompt: What signs have you seen that helps assure you that, despite all odds, God’s kingdom is breaking into our world?
Prompt: What concrete action could you take in your life so that you could be used as yet another sign of God’s kingdom breaking into our world?
Lead in: After John’s disciples had asked Jesus if he was the one to come, Jesus asked the crowd about John. The Message Translation puts it this way, “When you went to see him what did you
expect to see? A sheik in silk pajamas? No, a prophet to make smooth your way.”
Prompt: Who are the prophets who have helped make smooth the way for you? Who has been there to pave the road that you now travel?
Lead in: We have our questions and doubts. Is that a lack of faith? Experience tells us that it’s through questions that we go deeper into our relationship with God.
Prompt: What questions do you have regarding your Catholic faith?