A Note from Rob ...
The gospel lesson today seems far removed from tinsel and trinkets. It is set in prison and John the Baptist is
no longer out in the wide open spaces of the Judean wilderness or wading in the river Jordan.
John has offended Herod when he married Herodias, her brother-in-law before he was divorced from his wife.
John the Baptist spoke out against the union and was imprisoned because of his opposition to their union.
Salome, Herodias’ daughter from her previous marriage dances for a reward. Matthew tells the story this way:
On Herod (Antipas)' birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he
promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a
platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests,
he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a
platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. (Matt. 14:6-11)
John while in prison asks, “Are you the One who is to come?” In the dark dungeon he asks if the wait is over.
Perhaps he knew that the end of his life was drawing near and he wanted to know if history would have to wait any
longer for the Promised One of God.
Rather than ask, “Are we there yet”, the question of an impatient child. A hopeful messenger whose whole life
was spent proclaiming “He is coming”, asks, “Is He here yet?”
Jesus says more than yes, he reminds him that the blind see, the lame walk, and unclean are clean. No doubt
John also knew the other signs of the Jubilee year; the prisoners will be set free.
Soon, the One who came will come again; now is a time of waiting but not wondering.
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