St. Bernadette Catholic Church

In our dealings with others, we always have an inherent need to identify those with the power and if possible grab our share of it. It's just all part of being a social animal and what makes our existence possible and bearable. John, in today's gospel, does his own bit of probing in this fashion to figure out where to put Jesus in the mix. Is Jesus the One, the all powerful?

Interestingly and what ultimately become an intimidating challenge to us, Jesus throws the question back to John's followers. What kind of powerful person were you seeking when you went out to see John? Jesus affirms that John is a great prophet but even more, he is the herald of the Messiah and a new era. He stands at the end of the line of the great prophets of Israel's history. But the amazing thing is what Jesus says next, that even John in all his power would be the least in the Kingdom of God. Who are the powerful members of this Kingdom - we are, the baptized in His Holy Spirit. What Jesus is saying is that for those who believe and live in the gift of the Holy Spirit, they have a power unequal in the history of humanity. We like Jesus can heal the sick, work miracles, and bring hope to the hopeless. All this rests on the ability to believe and live in faith. In effect, we are being challenged with "do you believe you have the power?"