Fr Paul reads today from the Gospel of Matthew (11: 11-15), in which Jesus spoke to the crowds about the ministry of John the Baptist.

Fr Paul says Jesus, in this Gospel, praises John the Baptist like no other… ‘I tell you, solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen’. Yet, despite this praise, John, as we know, gives way to Jesus so selflessly.  A question is always asked if Jesus learned, not only from his parents, Joseph and Mary, but also from his cousin, John.  Was Jesus a disciple of John’?  John was so revered by the people.  He was revered by Herod, the political leader of the time and, yet, he still stepped back after delivering his message of preparing for the day of the Lord, preparing by repentance, to turn away from sin, to make our paths straight.

For our Gospel reflection today, Fr Paul says we might reflect on the last words of today’s Gospel, ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen’.  As our Advent journey continues, ‘how well am I listening to my Lord?’