Doubts, Direct Answers, and Becoming the Greatest

Ever felt like faith is a rollercoaster? One day you're all in, the next you're questioning everything? Matthew 11:2-11 hits right there with John the Baptist—the ultimate hype man for Jesus—having a real moment of doubt from prison. He sends his disciples to ask Jesus: "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" (Mt 11:3). Jesus doesn't freak out; He points to His miracles and calls John the greatest born of women. This passage is packed with hope for us young people navigating doubts, fake news, and our own call to shine. Let's break it down into three big takeaways.

1.       Even Legends Like John Had Doubt Moments—And It's Okay (In the Right Way)

Picture this: John's locked up, hearing about Jesus' epic miracles, but he's human. Maybe prison vibes got him second-guessing. The Church Fathers like Abrose of Milan, and John Chrisostom get it—John wasn't faithless; he was seeking clarity . St. Thomas Aquinas explains John asked "out of piety" to teach his disciples, not from shaky belief. He knew Jesus as the Lamb of God! 

Pope Francis nails this for us today: "Doubts which touch the faith, in a positive way, are a sign that we want to know better and more fully God, Jesus, and the mystery of his love for us... It is good, therefore, that we ask questions about our faith, because in this way we are pushed to deepen it." Real talk: Scroll TikTok or Insta, and doubts hit hard—about God, purpose, suffering. The Catechism says involuntary doubt (that hesitation from life's mess) isn't sin; it's a chance to grow. But don't let it fester into voluntary rejection—that leads to "spiritual blindness " (CCC 2088).  John shows it's okay to question if you chase truth. Faith is "more certain than all human knowledge" (CCC 157), but "ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt." You're not alone, fam.

2.       In Doubt? Hit Up Jesus Directly—No Side Quests with Sketchy Sources

John didn't Google "Is Jesus the Messiah?" or poll his crew. He sent straight to the source: Jesus. And Jesus' reply? No words-only flex: "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight... the poor have good news brought to them" (Mt 11:4-5). Actions over arguments. St. John Chrysostom says Jesus healed to prove Himself without suspicion—deeds trump words.

In our world of influencers and echo chambers, this is gold. Pope John Paul II told Italian youth: "Look for Jesus!... To go to Mass means going to Calvary to meet him... He is our friend and wishes particularly to be the friend and prop of you boys and girls on your way through life." Don't chase unauthorized vibes or doom-scroll doubts. Pray, hit the Eucharist, read Scripture—get answers from Jesus Himself. The Catholic Encyclopedia backs this: True doubt seeks the Church's authority, not solo vibes. Direct line to Christ beats any algorithm.

3.       John Was the Greatest Because He Witnessed—That's Our Call Too!

Jesus drops the mic: "Among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist" (Mt 11:11). Why? John witnessed—prepped the way, pointed to Jesus unapologetically. Origen notes degrees of greatness, with Jesus topping all, but John levels up by his prophetic fire. Even the "least in the kingdom" outranks him because we're in the full era of grace—but we gotta live it!

Pops echo this mission for youth. Pope Benedict XVI in Krakow: "You need to be witnesses of Jesus... Do not deprive the world of this witness!" Pope Francis on saints like JPII: They "bore witness before the Church and the world to God’s goodness and mercy." And Benedict again in Portugal: "Christians are... missionaries of Christ sent into the world... bringing him to the various sectors of society." JPII to youth: "Bear witness to Jesus with your courageous faith and your innocence... The world esteems and respects the courage of ideas and the strength of virtues." Your squad, school, feed—witness like John. Share faith boldly, live #NextLevelChristianity. That's greatness unlocked!

John's story isn't ancient history; it's your playbook. Doubt hits? Own it, run to Jesus, witness hard. You're called to be greater than even him in the Kingdom. Let's go make waves!

Ready to turn those doubts into Holy Spirit fire and step up as a witness like John? Join the Holy Spirit Missionaries—a squad of young disciples living and sharing faith in your everyday grind, just like Pope John Paul II urged: "Continue with renewed spirit the work that the Church has entrusted to you!" Check out holyspiritmissionaries.org, and don't miss Awake Melbourne and Ablaze—epic youth events to awaken your faith, get lit for mission, and build community that changes the world. Your adventure starts now—see you there!