Search for Truth

by Fr. Jerome Cayetano  |  12/14/2025  |  The WORD in other words

In my homily last Sunday, I did mention that one of the personalities that we encounter is John the Baptist. Today's gospel gives us the reason why Jesus lauded John, the Baptist. "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 is greater than he." Thus, the reason why Jesus complimented John, the Baptist because He was privileged to be precursor of Jesus Christ, the one who was called by God to prepare his people for the coming Messiah. And John did his mission well by introducing the ritual of baptism which is the sign of repentance.

Many people came to respond to his preaching. Second, Jesus lauded him because he did not only see the Jesus, as the "Lamb of God", but the only begotten Son of God as confirmed by the voice coming from the Father: "This is my beloved Son whom I am well pleased...", and moreover he was privileged to be a witness to Jesus by laying his life for Him as a martyr.

The context or the background of today's Gospel is the imprisonment of John the Baptist by Herod of Antipas because he staunchly denounced Herod's incestuous and adulterous marriage to Herodias. While, he was imprisoned, he had heard reports about the works of Jesus. He asks if Jesus is the promised and awaited Savior. Perhaps, he was expecting a fiery figure who would separate the wheat from the chaff. That is why he sends messengers to inquire. Jesus responded to his messengers not with a yes nor no but with the allusion to the prophesy of Isaiah when he says: "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." (Mt 11:4-5)

Jesus is trying to tell the messengers of John, that he is the promised Messiah not as the one who gives a fiery judgement to humanity, but as the one who restores wholeness to humanity which is a sign of the salvific act or work of God, which the Prophet Isaiah had prophesied, which is now being fulfilled in Him.

Despite John’s doubts about Jesus, he praises and lauds him as a firm person, unlike a reed in the wind that is easily swayed. He is dressed simply and modestly, unlike those with wealth and power. He relies on the providence of God by just eating locusts and wild honey. But he is blunt and straight forward to people. He has accepted that he is not the Messiah. And pointed out to him as the one who will baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire. And in his humility, he even finds himself unworthy to carry his sandals. His motto: "He must increase, I must decrease," which literally happened to him when he lost his head.

Our Gospel reading must convict, inspire and challenge us. First, we should not believe immediately in gossip or hearsay. Like John the Baptist, we have to inquire and search for the truth. One of the ways in doing so is to hear the other side of the story. If it pertains to ideas and opinions, google it. Second, like Jesus, we have to be generous in giving compliment or positive feedback about people such as: " You have done well!" “You are awesome!” “Thanks for your contribution!” Positive feedback enhances the self-worth of the person, whereas criticisms dampen the self-esteem and self-worth of people. In fact, when you give positive feedback to people, you become life-giving to them. Finally, we become greater than John the Baptist when we become a child in the Kingdom of God who is totally dependent on Him. And one of the characteristics of being a child is being joyful, filled with the Holy Spirit most especially today, we have lighted the Candle of Bethlehem or the Candle of Joy.

Incidentally, there will be the launching of the "Simbang Gabi", that is, "Evening Mass" at St. Paul Catholic Church this Sunday, December 14th at 5:00pm Mass. Bishop John Dolan, D.D. will the main celebrant of the Mass together with the Filipino priests. At 4:30 PM, there will be a parade of the lanterns and after the Mass, there will be a lighting of the Christmas tree. There will be fellowship and program after that. By the way, there will be a nine novena Masses here at Our Lady of the Valley, December 15-23, at 7:00pm. All are welcome!