Whoever has ears ought to hear
Jesus talks to the crowds after entertaining John the Baptist’s disciples who asked, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Mt 11:3).
Now Jesus testifies to John the Baptist. He declares, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet,” he adds, “the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
For Jesus, the least in the Kingdom are the ones who are docile to his words. They can be good listeners to John’s preaching, but do better listening to him. Surely Jesus’ teachings are greater than John’s.
There may often be a tension between our devotion to our favorite saints and our love for Jesus. We may be familiar with the life or sayings of our saints, but know little about the words of Jesus.
Let us focus our attention to Jesus whom our favorite saints fervently followed. They became saints because they took to heart the words of Jesus written in the gospels and interpreted by the epistles and ordained preachers of the Church.
Gospel • Mt 11:11-15
[or Lk 1:2638 (or Lk 1:39-47)]
Jesus said to the crowds: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of
John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord
2019,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls. ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.