The Perfect Gift: A Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

By Msgr. Charles PopeWhat is the perfect gift? We tend to answer this question more in terms of what we want, but today’s Gospel (Matthew 11:2-11) teaches us that the perfect gift is what God is offering. One of the goals of the spiritual journey is to come to value, more than our latest desire, more than our perceived need—more than all else—what God offers. In reviewing today’s Gospel, I am going to take a stance regarding St. John the Baptist that I realize is not without controversy. The Gospel opens with John (who is in prison) sending his disciples...