It's been a few days since I got around to the blog. Too much to do. Doctors appointments for the girls - and a check-up for me (healthy as a horse), hens Not laying, etc., etc. So, here's a bit for the Second Sunday of Advent.
In Matthew's Gospel for the day (Chapter 11: 2-10) about John the Baptist in prison, sending two of his disciples and asking Christ if He is "Who is to come," which of course, he knew. Jesus tells the disciples to report His deeds, healings, raising the dead, having the gospel preached. Our Lord says, "Blessed is he who is not scandalized in Me." That sounds strange. How should anyone be "scandalized" in Christ.
Our pastor gave a meaning to the word, "scandal," that puts a different slant on it. In this case, it comes from a Latin (and first Greek) word meaning a "stumbling block." Father noted that the quote, "Bl;essed is he who is not scandalized in Me," could almost be a ninth beatitude to add to the eight given in the Sermon on the Mount.
Indeed, Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews who heard him, even to many disciples when He spoke and they did not understand. Today it is the same. To how many of us today is Christ a stumbling block?
When we fall do we pick ourselves up and go on with Him? Or is His "Way" too difficult?
During the season of Advent, we should be thinking of how we live and how we prepare for His coming, at Christmas as well as at the end of the world.
St. John Chrysostom gave a homily about this Gospel. He was Patriarch of Constantinople, the most eloquent speaker and prolific writer of the Greek Church. The word "Chrysostom" means golden-mouth. He was persecuted by Empress Eudoxia and died in exile in 407 A.D.
"Christ, understanding the mind of John, did not immediately reply: 'Yes, I am He,' for that would have offended His hearers; though it could well be answered. but He allowed them to learn the answer from the deeds they witnessed. For it is narrated that then and there He cured many from among those who came to Him. Where would be the sequence of this action if, questioned as to whether He was the One, He makes no reply but immediately begins to cure the sick, unless that He wished to do as I say? He deemed testimony from deeds more credible than any words, and less liable to suspicion.
Since then, as God He knew with what purpose John had sent those men, He forthwith heals the blind, the lame, and many others; not so as to instruct John; for why instruct one who already knew and believed: but that He might confirm the minds of John's doubting disciples. And then when He had cured many, He says: Go and relate to John what you have seen and heard. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Then He adds: And blessed is he that is not scandalized in Me; showing that He knew the secret thoughts of their hearts."
12/5/11
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