SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (MEMORIAL)

Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me. 

The Greek word for “takes offense” in this verse is skandalon, which means literally “to stumble or get tripped up.” It’s also where we get the word “scandalize.” So it makes some sense that Jesus would say this in reference to his cousin, John the Baptist. It wasn’t so much that John was offended by Jesus but that he was getting tripped up.

Imagine John, in jail after preaching repentance all his life. He hears that Jesus, the One whose way he has prepared, is talking about loving one another and being poor in spirit more than he is calling everyone to repent of their sins. Had John been looking for a different kind of Messiah? Had he been wrong all along? Or was he being stretched to see things differently?

We don’t know exactly what was going on in John’s mind when he sent some of his disciples to Jesus. But we do know that Jesus’ teachings can stretch even the most devoted of his followers. All we have to do is recall how Peter tried to stop Jesus from becoming the suffering servant that Jesus knew he was meant to be (Matthew 16:21-23).

There are also many stories in the Bible of people who start to follow Jesus but end up slipping away because he is different than what they expected. Remember the followers who rejected Jesus after he said he was the Bread of Life (John 6:52, 66). Or think of the rich young man, who couldn’t bring himself to part with his possessions (Mark 10:17-31).

Just as he did with Peter, the rich young man, and all his followers, Jesus was offering John’s disciples the chance to open their eyes and their hearts in a new way. He wanted them to see the breadth and scope of God’s merciful love.

Advent offers us that same chance. Jesus wants to open our eyes more and more to who he is, even when his teaching stretches our expectations. This is a wonderful season of grace when he can show us that he came to heal and forgive and restore—even when we don’t think we deserve it. Even when we don’t think someone else deserves it. And that’s good news!

“Jesus, help me not to stumble when your teachings stretch me. I want to follow you with all my heart!”

Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25
Psalm 85:9-14
Luke 7:18-23