Friends, welcome to Word on Fire, Catholic Ministries. Word on Fire is an apostolate dedicated

to the mission of evangelization, using media both old and new to share the faith on every

continent and to facilitate and encounter with Christ and His Church. The efforts of

Word on Fire engage the culture and bring the transformative power of God's Word where

it is most needed. Today we invite you to join Bishop Robert Baron as he preaches

the gospel and shares the warmth and light of Christ with each of us.

Peace be with you. Friends, our gospel for this Advent weekend is taken from the 11th

chapter of the gospel of Matthew. Not from the first couple of chapters as you might expect

for Advent, so we're moving actually right into the middle of Matthew's gospel and

to the middle of Jesus' ministry. John the Baptist, so a great Advent figure, has been

arrested. And he's heard tell of what Jesus is doing. That's a curious moment and the

historians would say this reflects probably something that's very much grounded in history.

John the Baptist has recognized Jesus in one sense, yes, but he's still got a question,

he's still wondering. So here's the question he poses. Is he the one or should we look

for another? Now look, if John had this question, imagine how many others did as well at Jesus'

time. They were intrigued. I mean, he could be as he's a Messiah. Is he the one? How do we

tell? Well, when the inquiry is conveyed to Jesus, the Lord does not respond theoretically.

It doesn't respond with a philosophical argument. Rather, he points to things that are happening.

This is really important, everybody. And it cuts to the heart of Christianity. He points to

things that are happening to show who he is. Listen to him. Go tell John what you see and hear.

The blind regained their sight, the lame walk, lepers or clans, the deaf hear, the dead are raised,

and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. Things are happening. Things are changing. If we

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