3rd Sunday of Advent

by Dcn. Gary Johnson  |  12/14/2025  |  Gospel Reflections

“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.” Matthew 11:4–6

Suppose a priest came to our church to lead a parish mission, and during that mission he miraculously healed the blind, crippled, terminally ill, and deaf. What if he even raised the dead to life? How would you respond? Most likely with amazement! You’d probably tell everyone close to you about those miracles, encouraging them to attend the next session.

Though Jesus’ ministry was filled with miracles, they were far from the most important part of His mission. His miracles healed bodies that would eventually die, but His preaching healed souls that would live forever because His preaching ultimately pointed to His greatest work—to suffer and die for the salvation of souls.

If you were alive as Jesus walked the earth, performed miracles, preached the Good News, suffered death and rose again, which of His actions would have the greatest effect on you?