3rd Monday of Advent (December 15) When in doubt

Prepare to listen.  Blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.
 
Prayerfully Read Matthew 11:2-6
2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’  4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the 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.  6And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
John, who once confidently identified Jesus as Messiah, had his doubts.  How does Jesus’ response to John agree/disagree with what you’ve been taught about doubt in the Christian life?
 
In prison John heard what Jesus was doing.  It wasn’t what he expected and thus he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”  He wanted the comfort of certainty; assurance he hadn’t made a mistake.
 
Most of us want certainty, the sure knowledge Jesus is who we think he is.  Certainty is comforting.  Doubt is unsettling, the opposite of faith, or so we were told. But that’s incorrect, as Richard Rohr maintains, “certainty—not doubt—is the opposite of faith.”[1]  Certainty keeps us conservative, refusing to change our minds about Jesus and how to live his way.  He often shocks us, as he shocked John.  Jesus doesn’t behave as expected, in line with our ideals.  Doubt is good because it’s the catalyst for discerning truth and repenting.  Doubt should be welcomed.
 
When Jesus heard about John’s doubts, he didn’t rebuke him, neither did he give a straightforward answer.  Instead, he told John’s disciples to go back and tell him stories of what they saw Jesus do.  He listed six healing acts, all mentioned by the prophet Isaiah (35:5-6a) and all what the kingdom is about.  It was up to John to reflect, make the connection to Isaiah and the kingdom and follow a Messiah who was not what he expected, however offensive he seemed.  The only assurance he got from Jesus was: “blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
 
If you have no doubts, you have no need of faith.  Embrace your doubts, let them push you to the truth.  Trust Jesus, however disturbing and don’t take offense.
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, I bring my doubts to you today and commit to faithfully following you even though I lack certainty.  May my doubts lead me to a truer picture of you.  Amen
 
Live Obediently.  Welcome your doubts.
[1] Rohr, Richard.  The Tears of Things.  New York, NY: Convergent.  2025, p. 154.​