In the Gospel of Matthew for today we hear John the Baptist's question to Jesus as John suffers in prison: are you really the one we were to expect? We can feel the weight of John's distress, as perhaps Jesus was not exactly the Messiah John had expected. But Jesus reminds him of what the scriptures said about him. After perhaps a gentle rebuke, Jesus teaches the people that of all men and women ever born, none was greater that John, because of John's mission in fulfilling the promises of God.
