CHAPTER XXIV
JOHN THE BAPTIST SENDS MESSENGERS TO CHRIST
[Luke 7:18–35]
HEROD Antipas, the son of that Herod who had ordered the massacre of the Innocents, was now king of Galilee and Peræa. This Herod was living with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, while the latter was still alive. Now John the Baptist said to him: “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.”
This rebuke provoked the wrath of Herod and Herodias. John was apprehended, bound and put in prison. Herod would have put him to death, but he feared the people, who considered John a great prophet.
John, being now in prison, and having no other desire than that all should believe in Jesus and follow Him, sent two of his disciples, in order that with their own eyes they might see the miracles wrought by Jesus, and with their own ears hear His admirable teaching.
These disciples then presented themselves before Jesus, saying: “Art Thou He who is to come? or look we for another?” Jesus answered: “Go, and relate to John what you have seen and heard. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, to the poor the gospel is preached; and blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me.”
COMMENTARY
Jesus is the Messias. The miracles of Jesus, so completely coinciding as they do with the prophecies of Isaias, are conclusive evidence that Jesus was the promised Redeemer.
Candour and fortitude of St. John. He exercised his office of preacher of penance not only to the multitude, but to the great and powerful as well.
To admonish sinners is a spiritual work of mercy.
APPLICATION. Do you try, as St. John the Baptist did, to prevent sin as far as you are able? If your brothers or comrades desire to do anything wrong, you too should say: “It is not lawful—it is a sin.”