(Given at the 8:30 and 10:30 am Sunday Masses at OLP)
According to Jesus, there is no one greater born to a woman that John the Baptist. These are strong words. As we know from Scripture and Tradition, John was the last Old Covenant prophet, and he had the privilege of preparing the way for the messiah. His life was wholly devoted to God, and there is even a pious tradition that says John was free from sin since the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth while he was in the womb. During his ministry, John baptized those who came to him confessing their sins, opening their hearts for Jesus’ arrival. John’s baptism was a symbol, a foreshadowing of Christian baptism which would actually wash away sins. In a sense, John is everything Israel was called to be for God. And yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Jesus declares that the least one in the kingdom he has come to establish on earth is greater than the greatest one of the Old Covenant. The water boy, as it were, is greater than the quarterback. When you think about it, it’s almost unbelievable! How could you or I ever dare think we are greater than John the Baptist, much less any of the prophets? What does Jesus mean here? Now, he is not talking about human dignity in itself, something we share fully with John, or even about certain virtues that John may have had that we don’t. No, Jesus is emphasizing the degree in which the New Covenant surpasses the Old! Because of who he is, because of the magnificence of grace! And we, as members of the kingdom of heaven on earth, as members of the New Covenant in the Church, as members of Christ’s body, have so many more advantages that John didn’t have during his lifetime, for example: the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in Christ, the fullness of Truth via Scripture and Tradition, the guidance of the Magisterium, the reality of the Communion of Saints, the ability for us to actually go to heaven when we die and not just to the abode of Abraham awaiting the messiah, the Sacraments, like Confession and the Eucharist! John would have been utterly speechless at the miracle that is Jesus’ body and blood under the appearances of bread and wine! He didn’t even think he was worthy to untie Jesus’ sandal! We who have the privilege of receiving Jesus into our very selves, how could we ever go to Communion so mindlessly? The least among us who believes and is practicing the Faith is greater than John the Baptist. Than David. Than Moses. Than Abraham. Than all of the Old Testament heroes and saints combined. Again, why? Because Jesus is that much greater. Because the grace he offers us is that much better. Because we have been given access to everything we need spiritually through no merit of our own. How can we not rejoice? How can we not be eternally grateful? How can we not be in awe every time we come to Mass? How can we not take seriously the meaning that is Christmas: Emmanuel, God with us?