Homily: Searching for the Meaning of Life (Gaudete 2007)

Matthew 11:2-11

2. When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him

3. with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"

4. Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5. 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. 6. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." 7. 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? 8. Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. 9. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10. 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.' 11. 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.

At this time of year we all approach either the manger of Christ or the Crucifix of Christ with the same question as John the Baptist: is this He?

We are searching for the meaning of life.

Perhaps it’s like the Peanuts comic strip where Lucy is talking with Linus at the base of a hill, she says: "Someday I’m going over that hill and find the answer to my dreams....Someday I’m going over that hill and find hope and fulfillment. I think, for me, all the answers to life lie beyond these clouds and over the grassy slopes of that hill!"

Linus removes his thumb from his mouth, points toward the hill, and responds: "Perhaps there’s another little kid on the other side of that hill who is looking this way and thinking that all the answers to life lie on this side of the hill. "Lucy looks at Linus, then turns toward the hill and yells, "Forget it, kid!"

This is a rare glimpse into the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. Cousins by birth. John had already baptized Jesus. Seen the heavens parted, heard the voice of God, seen the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus, and yet he sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the One?

Story: A few years ago, a major Multinational company was looking for a new Marketing Director.

After much advertising and many applications, three candidates entered the final selection process.

A mathematician, a statistician and an attorney.

The first to be invited in for the final interview was the mathematician and the Managing Director asked him a simple question: What is 2+2. The mathematician was surprised, thought about it for a bit, wondered if it might be a trick question and then simply answered 4.

The Managing Director looked at the Board, shook his head and thanked him for coming, but he wasn’t the candidate they were looking for.

The statistician was the next in and the Managing Director asked him, too, the simple question: What is 2+2. He paused, thought about it for a bit and then replied that statistically it was a number between 3 and 5. The Managing Director smiled and the Board were quite impressed. The candidate was thanked and ushered out.

The last candidate, the attorney was then invited in to the interview and the Managing Director asked him the same, simple question: What is 2+2. Without batting an eyelid he replied: “What do you want it to be”? And the attorney was promptly hired.

John the Baptist was the prophet whom God had called from his mother’s womb to predict the Messiah. He and the Christ were cousins. Yet even though he’d heard and seen all the things that God did with His Son at the baptism, John was like the people of his time. They were expecting the Messiah to be a mighty ruler who would ride in and rescue the people of Israel from the Romans.

Christ brought in understanding and love and compassion.