Scripture Study for

In the first reading, God offers a vision of Israel’s restoration after the Babylonian exile. This is conveyed first through the image  of the flowering wilderness: what is presently “lifeless” will soon  host “abundant flowers” and “joyful song.” This reversal represents  God’s ability to bring life where there is none. Thus, this affirmation  is accompanied by a general exhortation: “Be strong, fear not!” God the Redeemer comes to bring the people back home. The healing of the parched land is mirrored by the healing of the weak and infirm,  the sorrowful and grieving, who will—like the wilderness—sing joyfully.

James offers an exhortation to remain firm in belief and steadfast in moral uprightness while waiting for the coming of the Lord. The emphasis throughout is on “patience,” mentioned four times. Just as crops cannot be rushed, neither can Christ’s return, which will happen in due time. All the same, James assures his audience that “the  coming of the Lord is at hand.” So, do not allow Christ’s apparent delay to be the occasion either for losing hope or growing slack.  James particularly focuses on complaining about others, which is a form of judging. When Christ does come, he will come as Judge; it is proper for him, not for us, to judge. 

In prison, John the Baptist has heard rumors of Jesus, whom he had earlier baptized (3:13–17). Now he seeks to know if Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah (“the one who is to come”). Jesus lets John draw his own conclusions. He has proclaimed good news to the poor and he has healed, activities expected of the Messiah. Jesus, in turn, asks the crowds about John, affirming that he is indeed the prophet they went out to see, and he is the one sent to announce the Messiah.  Thus, Jesus’ identity as Messiah is confirmed both by his actions and by the fact that someone they had all recognized as a prophet had prepared the way for him.