By Fr. John Meoska, OSB, December 11, 2025
Fr. John, breaking open this Sunday Gospel, reminds us of the need to ask God for clearer vision, so that we can more deeply appreciate the call to rejoice, as Gaudate Sunday invites us. In a world similar to St. John the Baptist, full of corruption, full of injustice, we do well to keep our eyes focused on God’s equalizing and restorative Mercy and Grace, and respond accordingly to what those healing forces ask of us in our broken world.
Matthew 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
“What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
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.”
Fr. John Meoska, OSB is 1978 graduate of Saint John’s University and a 1982 graduate of the SOT-SEM. Originally ordained for the Diocese of Madison, WI, he spent twenty-two years living in a contemplative community before migrating to Saint John’s Abbey in 2008. He has served the community as Director of Saint John’s Abbey Woodworking and Director of Formation. Currently he the Director of Abbey Liturgy and a craftsman at Abbey Woodworking.
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