The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing amid our Advent waiting. The rose candle is lit on the Advent wreath, reminding us that joy is already shining through the shadows of expectation. Yet, today’s Gospel from Matthew 11:2–11 presents us with a surprising kind of joy—one born not from comfort or success, but from faith in the midst of doubt.

John the Baptist, the fiery prophet who prepared the way for the Messiah, is now in prison. From behind bars, he sends his disciples to Jesus with a question that sounds uncertain: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” The man who once proclaimed Jesus as “the Lamb of God” now seeks confirmation. His question reflects the struggle of every believer who waits for God’s promises to unfold, especially when life feels dark or confusing.

Jesus does not answer with a direct “yes” or “no.” Instead, He points to the evidence of God’s work: “The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” These are not only signs of healing—they are signs of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world. Jesus invites John, and all of us, to recognize Him not through titles, but through the transformation He brings.

In our own lives, we may also experience moments like John’s—times when God seems silent or distant, when our faith feels uncertain. Advent teaches us that Christ is indeed at work, though often in hidden or unexpected ways. The miracles of the Gospel continue today whenever love heals broken hearts, forgiveness restores relationships, and hope rises in places of despair. The good news is proclaimed not only in words, but in every act of compassion, mercy, and faithfulness.

Jesus then praises John: “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist.” Yet He adds something remarkable: “The least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.” This means that those who believe in Christ and live in His Spirit share an even deeper relationship with God than John could have known before the Resurrection. Our greatness does not come from status or achievement, but from belonging to Christ and allowing His grace to transform us.

As we light the third candle of Advent, we are invited to rejoice not because our waiting is over, but because we already see signs of God’s presence among us. Joy is born when we recognize Christ’s gentle work in our midst—healing, forgiving, renewing, and saving.