John the Baptist and Perfection

Today's Gospel in the NO is from Matthew 11:11-15.

11	Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12	From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force.
13	For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John;
14	and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli'jah who is to come.
15	He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Those who follow this blog know that this passage is one of my favourites from the Scriptures. Last year, a Jesuit priest told me that he did not believe that John the Baptist was the greatest of men. This priest was contradicting Christ Himself. Christ is telling us who John and and what we are to become. Why did the Jesuit demean John? Because John was counter-cultural; he called people out of their comfort zones; he prepared the way for perfection. Repentance must come before perfection. John knew why he was on earth. To prepare people for the coming of Christ. His words used by the Church in Advent, allow us to see the depth of his love and commitment to Christ.  He is the Best Man to the Bridegroom.