John the Baptist’s question to Jesus seems to me very timely for our advent experience. Even more than in other times, now because of the social communication media, which every day present us with reports with Muslims, Buddhists, Confucianists, animists and many others, questions and doubts arise in us too:
Could it be that Jesus is really the only savior of the world?
Could it be that Christianity is the true revelation of God?
Is it worth following a religion and guiding life according to religious values? And others…
I think it is natural to have these doubts at some point in our lives. We all have the right to evaluate our faith and ask if it really corresponds to what it promises. What we cannot do is always remain in doubt: it immobilizes us, makes us lose energy, makes us useless. John the Baptist also wondered: is Jesus really the Savior, or do we still have to continue waiting?
Jesus is not afraid of this question, on the contrary, when it is asked sincerely, when it is asked by someone who is really looking for the right path, it makes him vibrate with joy, because it gives him the possibility of finding a new and true disciple.
If we look closely, Jesus’ answer is not characterized by philosophical or theological arguments: his answer is not a theory. His response is not violent or threatening: he doesn’t want to force anyone’s adherence. He simply invites you to look at his life: his actions and his words. “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news comes to the poor.” Jesus does not answer with a yes or a no. He forwards the decision to Juan Bautista. He is sure that if John the Baptist accepts the signs of his life, he will have all the necessary conditions to know that He is the savior promised by God.
The two characteristics of Jesu s’ response are very important: it is not the result of intellectual work nor is it based on violence. There are many religions that have a rich intellectual heritage: they are authentic philosophies of life, loaded with much wisdom and very interesting and valid practical advice. Others are rooted in force, resort to violence and threats, often force the faithful to certain practices and deny personal freedom. These two styles of religions, although they can achieve good results in the organization of a society or can generate wonderful people who living with conviction the proposed values give a beautiful testimony, I believe, they do not have that extra gift that only God himself could give and that he did in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, to all those who have doubts about the person of Jesus, and want to know what his truth is, he himself invites them to approach him and get to know him better. Christian conviction can only be born from the experience made with the Lord. Christianity is not a theory, it is the life of a person, who, being God himself humanized, is the paradigm for everyone. Christianity is not coercion, it is not based on violence, fear or threat, it is personal, free and responsible adherence.
Advent is therefore a very opportune time for this personal encounter, to heal these doubts. God himself moves, he is the first person interested in this meeting, that is why he takes the initiative and comes in our direction. Still, always respecting our personal decision, he will stay at the door and hopefully wait for us to open it.
We cannot stay with doubts forever. Well, as we already said, they paralyze us.
There are many people who chose this comfortable path: they always say they have doubts and that is why they do not commit to anything. I feel sorry for them, because life will pass without them noticing, and because they always hide behind doubt, they do not grow or find the path to authentic happiness.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make his face shine and have mercy on you.
The Lord turn his affectionate gaze and give you PEACE.
Brother Mariosvaldo Florentino, Capuchin.
