When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then 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, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Matthew 11:2-11
Self-Guided Retreat
About This Week's Prompts for Meditation
This painting by Tiziano (top right) reminds me of Athanasius' description of St. Antony the Hermit after his 20 years of solitude: And when they beheld him, they were amazed to see that his body had maintained its former condition, neither fat from lack of exercise, nor emaciated from fasting and combat with demons, but just as they had known him prior to his withdrawal. ...He maintained utter equilibrium, like one guided by reason and steadfast in that which accords with nature. (Athanasius, Life of Antony). Tiziano also portrays John the Baptist as physically and psychologically whole.
But this Gospel passage presents a glimpse into the passion of John in prison: vulnerable, in distress, needing now to know for sure if Jesus is the one to come. And Jesus answers in a Biblical code irrefutable in its meaning: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And John comprehends once again, the Word of God.
Jesus then upholds John to the crowd as the greatest of all prophets. John is honored as a burning and a shining lamp, a man of deep humility and insight (Meditation One) and as the one who baptized Jesus (Meditation Two). The figure of John the Baptist continually inspires me to embrace the struggle to grow and change and progress along the mystical path of grace (Meditation Three).
-Suzanne
Meditation One (introit) A Burning and a Shining Light
He was a burning and a shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
-John 5:35 (Jesus speaking of John the Baptist)
How signal a testimony then did John give to Christ? Even to saying that he “was not worthy to loose the latchet of His shoes.” (John 1:16). He confessed that he was but a lamp lighted at His Light, and so he took refuge at His feet, lest venturing on high, he should be extinguished by the wind of pride. So great indeed was he, that he was taken for Christ; and if he had not himself testified that he was no He, the mistake would have continued, and he would have been reputed to be the Christ. What striking humility! Honour was proffered him by the people, and he himself refused it. Men were at fault in his greatness, and he humbled himself. He had no wish to increase by the words of men, seeing he had comprehended the Word of God.
-Augustine 354-430 Sermon XVI on Matthew 11:2
Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.
-Albert Schweitzer 1875-1965
Miscellany
St John: you are that John who baptized God; you were praised by an archangel before you were begotten by your father; for you were full of God before you were born of your mother; you knew God before you knew the world; you showed your mother the mother bearing God before the mother who bore you within her showed you the day. It was of you that God said: 'Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater'.
To you, sir, who are so great, holy and blessed, comes a guilty, creeping thing, a wretched little man whose senses are almost dead with grief, and, what grieves him even more, a sinner with a dead soul.
-Anselm Prayer to John the Baptist The Prayers and Meditations of St. Anselm
Hair of the camel furnished a coarse raiment To your blessed members; leather your girdle; You drink the cold spring, food for you - wild honey Mingled with locusts.
All other prophets, in their hearts divining, Sang of the light coming to the people; Your finger touched the Lamb of God who takes Sin from the world.
None has arisen in the mighty spaces Of round earth's borders holier than John was: Great was his grace who poured mystic waters O'er the Redeemer.
-Paul the deacon of Apulia, 8th century quoted from Advent, Liturgy Training Publications
Meditation Three (integration) Always Preparing Ourselves
Therefore I say: In every gift, in every work, we ought to learn to look toward God, and we should not allow ourselves to be satisfied or be detained by any thing. Whatever our way of life may be, we must not cease to progress; this has been true for everyone, however far he may have advanced. Above all else, we should always be preparing ourselves, always renewing ourselves to receive God's gifts.
-Meister Eckhart 1260-1327 Quoted from Ordinary Graces: Christian Teachings on the Interior Life
The Last Word
Then by the merits of your Baptizer, renew in me the grace of your baptizing. -Anslem c1033-1109 Prayer to St. John the Baptist
The Beheading of John the Baptist, Caravaggio, 1608
Suzanne's Meditation
Always Preparing
I miss Advent with my children - secret friends doing little kindnesses for one another, banging on pots and pans and marching around the house singing Godspell's version of "Prepare Ye the Way." Then, ministry with families- trying to help deepen the Advent experience with prayers and traditions at home. Helping pre-teens to transition from St. Nicholas gift-receivers to gift-givers. I miss decorating for the sisters - the table, the advent wreath in the chapel, putting St. Nicholas' golden coins in shoes, making St. Lucy (marzipan) eyeballs, chanting the Great O's together. I miss my favorite Advent calendars. We're two senior citizens alone in a quiet house. And yet Advent has come to our "bird-house" in Poughkeepsie.
How is it that the quality of Advent permeates the house, the light outside, the tone of the day? Not just because it is December and the daylight IS extraordinary and muted, as if hinting at glory not immediately available but promised nevertheless. And not just because a few little doors of the Advent calendars fold open, or the prayers and chants and antiphons wind through my mind, in pleasing counterpoint to the rhythms of the day. Or that St. Nicholas arrived on December 6th and filled our old shoes with favorite treats. These outward things may be delightful. But something else seems to take place within.
Maybe it is that one Advent superimposes itself upon the other, so that I enter a rich Advent continuum like coming home to all the Advents I've ever observed and prayed. Some kinds of anxieties have quieted, and I've slowed down considerably. I notice more, which contributes to the awareness of the season's anticipatory magic. Other anxieties have heightened as I continue to lead retreats on climate crises and climate grief.
I have loved John the Baptist all my life and even felt an inexplicable affinity with him - this white, middleclass girl from Long Island wanting to warn the world to repent. I remember, though, thinking, "What am I supposed to say?" Now, late in life, I know.
Intrinsically impermanent, the point of Advent is preparation for the world turning upside down and anticipating what will come. I'm glad I have a lifetime of Advents to draw from. Less a practice and more a habit of staying in the moment, watching, waiting, and, as if at the last minute, proclaiming boldly.
Here's a word from Meister Eckhart about always preparing.
Therefore I say: In every gift, in every work, we ought to learn to look toward God, and we should not allow ourselves to be satisfied or be detained by any thing. Whatever our way of life may be, we must not cease to progress; this has been true for everyone, however far he may have advanced. Above all else, we should always be preparing ourselves, always renewing ourselves to receive God's gifts.
-Meister Eckhart 1260-1327 Quoted from Ordinary Graces: Christian Teachings on the Interior Life
