3rd Sunday of Advent (Cycle B, Year I)
Community Word: Disciples of Jesus prepare for His coming with watchfulness.
Theme: Disciples of Jesus prepare with watchfulness when we testify to the light so that all might believe in Him.
Promise: “He has come to help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy.” (Lk 1:54)
Reflection:
In the gospel reading this Sunday, John the Baptist identified himself as “the voice of one crying out in the desert” to “make straight the way of the Lord,” (Jn 1:23). He was preparing for the coming of the One who is greater than him. St. John is calling us now to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ.
We find salvation in Christ alone. In Him, we will find inner peace, hope and strength necessary to face life’s daily situations, even those most difficult and burdensome. John’s teaching about the Word of God tells us that the wonder and perfection of heaven is now available to everyone who believes. Because the Son of God, Jesus Christ, came to us in the fullness of grace and truth, heaven is within our grasp. We can gain heaven by believing in Jesus and by placing our complete trust in Him. Jesus is Life and Light of the human race. He sanctifies us and changes us to God’s image. In a world longing for love and compassion, we can become Jesus’ modern day disciples by bringing His light to His people. This brings us to our Theme for the week: Disciples of Jesus prepare with watchfulness when we testify to the Light so that all might believe in Him.
The 3rd Sunday of Advent is “Gaudete Sunday” or “Joy Sunday”. On this day we anticipate the joy of celebrating the coming of our Messiah and Emmanuel, the Son of God. We define joy according to our standard of personal satisfaction or fulfillment of our desires when we get what we want. However, God wants our joy to be complete by sharing ourselves and what we have as gifts to others. In coming to this world, Jesus shared Himself and He became our Savior, letting His joy flow to all people, especially the sick, the lonely, the oppressed and the poor. We can experience true joy wherever we are. It occurs in the way we look at ordinary things, circumstances and persons. Joy comes from acknowledging that God is present in our lives even in simple ways and even in trying times. It flows from hearts that know how to care and share, from people who know how to appreciate other people. And more importantly, joy flows from opening our lives to Jesus who journeys with us. It flows from God to us and from us to others.
We are called to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ by readying our inner selves to accept Him in our hearts and by sharing this wonderful news to others, our own families, friends, officemates and most of all to the less fortunate. What have we done? Each of us is a John the Baptist. Each of us can prepare the coming of God in the hearts of our loved ones, humbly and courageously affirming the mission handed to us. Let God’s saving word be heard especially among those who were neglected, the weak and the lost, leading them to truly know our great God.
The joy of Christmas is indeed expressed in this quotation: “When we realize what Christmas is all about, we will know that it is a world where men are free, when there will be no wars and hostilities, no more tears, no more fears, when all men are equal. We will see our land with no corruption, no hungry children, no empty hands, but people share, a world where people truly care. When only love will prevail and reign in our hearts, with hope in everyone and all dreams will come to be.”
This Advent season, let us be prepared to receive with joy the Lord’s promise this week: “He has come to help His servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy,” (Ps: Lk 1:54). We are invited to “die to ourselves” so that the life of Jesus may be made manifest through us – by way of our humility, acts of love and service. To die for the faith is a gift for some but to live the faith is a call for all. Whatever we say or do has an impact on others. We are the bearer of the Good News of the Lord’s coming in other people’s lives, the news of salvation, love and mercy, peace and joy.
Prayer:
Jesus, our Emmanuel, there is so much chaos and confusion around us, but we thank you for sending someone as a witness to your Light. May we bear witness to others who are hungry of your Word, that they too may be open to receive your Saving Grace. Help us to be your voice crying out in the wilderness to those who need your love and compassion. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. How exactly we can favor the Lord’s coming in the lives of those who cross our path?
2. How can we prioritize spiritual preparations over other usual Christmas concerns?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
December 14, 2014 (Sun) Is 61:1-2,10-11/Lk 1:46-48,49-50,53-54/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8,19-28
December 15, 2014 (Mon) Nm 24:2-7,15-17/Ps 25:4-5,6,7,8-9/Mt 21:23-27
December 16, 2014 (Tues) Zeph 3:1-2,9-13/Ps 34:2-3,6-7,17-18,19,23/Mt 21:28-32
December 17, 2014 (Wed) Gn 49:2,8-10/Ps 72:1-2,3-4,7-8,17/Mt 1:1-17
December 18, 2014 (Thurs) Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2,12-13,18-19/Mt 1:18-24
December 19, 2014 (Fri) Jg 13:2-7,24-25?ps 71:3-4,5-6,16-17/Lk 1:5-25
December 20, 2014 (Sat) Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2,3-4,5-6/Lk 1:26-38
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
