Fr. Bob's Homily - Third Sunday of Advent - Franciscan Friars of the Atonement

Fr. Bob's Homily - Third Sunday of Advent - Franciscan Friars of the Atonement John the Baptist stands as the commanding figure in today’s Gospel. He is a man sure of his mission, ignited with purpose. He is God’s prophet, bold and confident in his message. Strong and fearless, John acts without hesitation. Yet somewhere along the way, doubt begins to creep in. Was he right? Had he truly been called by God? Or was it self-delusion? Was Jesus really the One he had been preparing the way for? When we meet John in today’s reading, he is in prison, jailed by King Herod for speaking the truth. From his cell, he sends his followers to ask Jesus the question that weighs on his heart: “Are you the One who is to come, or should we look for another?” The question is simple, but deeply human. And Jesus answers not with arguments, but with evidence of God’s power at work: “Go and tell John what you see and hear: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news proclaimed to them.” Then, with tenderness, He adds, “Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at Me.” John the Baptist’s struggle is one we all share. We begin with strong faith – a clear “yes” to God. But over time, life tests that confidence. We pray, we go to Mass, we try to live faithfully, and yet things don’t always turn out the way we hoped. A woman once wrote to me about her three children: one thriving, another living with a man outside marriage, and the third married outside the faith, with no plans to baptize her children. She had raised them with deep Catholic roots, prayed for them daily, yet nothing seemed to change. “I don’t understand,” she said. “I did everything right. Why hasn’t God answered?” Her question echoes John’s: “Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for another?” Generations have asked that same question. Faithful people through the centuries have wondered, “Was I wrong to trust so deeply? Have my prayers been in vain?” We’ve all prayed for a cure that never came, or for a miracle that seemed to pass us by. Yes, miracles happen. I’ve heard many stories of God’s extraordinary power at work. But perhaps we need to speak just as often about the quieter miracle: the grace that sustains us through suffering. God’s presence in our darkest hours is no less real, and no less miraculous, than a dramatic healing. When doubt comes, and it will, the key is to hold fast to that presence. In our worst moments, simply clinging to faith is itself a victory of God’s love. Even Jesus knew what it was to doubt and struggle. In Gethsemane, He prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.” On the cross, He cried out, “My God, why have You abandoned Me?” But listen to what follows: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” “Into Your hands, I commend My spirit.” That is faith at its deepest – trusting God even when He seems silent. Advent calls us to hold onto that same trust. It reminds us of Mary’s quiet “Yes” to God. For the Child she carried is Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” And that is our assurance, even in doubt and suffering: God is with us – in the silence, in the waiting, in the questions. With that knowledge, we can face whatever comes and still say, with Mary and with Christ, “Lord, let it be done according to Your word.” Yours in Christ, Fr. Robert Warren, S.A. Signature Fr. Robert Warren, S.A. Spiritual Director