3rdSunday of Advent (Cycle A, Year I)
Community Word:
The coming of Christ brings joy to the people of God.
Theme:
We rejoice in the coming of Christ when we recognize the Messiah in His works and words.
Promise:
“The Lord shall reign forever…through all generation.” (Ps 146:10)
Reflection:
We are now on the Third Sunday of Advent, also known Gaudete (Joyful) Sunday, and we prepare to welcome our Savior with joy. All the liturgical readings focus on rejoicing, so even though the busyness of the season brings stress and anxiety, it is an opportunity to re-focus our hearts to the real reason we celebrate Advent. And, with our happy disposition, be likewise reminded of the source of true joy – the coming of the Messiah.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist, who was in prison, sends his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Mt 11:3). Rather than directly responding to the question, Jesus advises them to go back and confirm to John the signs and wonders He had been performing in direct fulfillment of Messianic prophesies of Isaiah – “He would open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, the lame would leap, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy,” (Isa 35:5). These words were enough to reassure John, even if he did not personally see the miracles Jesus had performed. And he was content to remain in prison for his role as the precursor of the Messiah.
How many of us would like to walk and talk with Jesus, to hear his words with our own ears and to see his face with our own eyes? How many of us wished we were one of the disciples privileged to have had such intimate relationship with the Lord? While we do not physically hear or see Jesus, He continuously invites us to fellowship with Him through His words, and to remember Him in the Sacraments that He instituted. He asks us to believe in His witnesses, so that we may understand the living God with the same intimate knowledge and experience that His disciples enjoyed. St. John, the Evangelist, testifies:
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life, the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ,” (1 John:1-3).
We may sometimes wonder where God is in the face of our struggles and seemingly endless problems, especially when there is merriment around us during the Christmas season. Ironically, it is precisely at this time when we need to remember what mighty deeds God has done for us and continue to do in our daily life. Our theme for the 3rd Sunday of Advent says: We rejoice in the coming of Christ when we recognize the Messiah in His works and words. St. Paul reminds the Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again, rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,”(Phil 4:4-9).
Therefore we, “New Testament” people, are truly blessed, for we receive the Savior’s Body and Blood and hear His voice in the gospel at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We need not search aimlessly, but from our hearts look only to Jesus. And as we become His present day witnesses, we magnify the Lord in our lives, by directing people to believe in the Messiah, His works and word, so that they too, may experience God and receive His awesome promise of this week: “The Lord shall reign forever…through all generation.” (Ps 146:10).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, grant me the strength to sustain my trust in Your word. Give me courage to hope in the saving power of Your works. Free me from anything that would hold me back from pursuing Your Kingdom and Your Will for my life. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you experienced the joy, power and strength that Jesus gives to everyone who puts their trust in Him? Ask the Lord to increase your faith and hope in His promises of fullness of life that you should enjoy.
2.Do your words and actions testify to Jesus’ presence in your life, that others may likewise come to know, love and serve Him?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
December 11, 2016 (Sun) – Is 35:1-6A, 10/Ps 14:6:-10/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11
December 12, 2016 (Mon) – Zec 2:14-17/Jdt 13:18-19/Lk 1:26-38
December 13, 2016 (Tue) – Zep 3:1,2,9-13/Ps 34:2,3,6,7,17,-19,23/Mt 21:28-32
December 14, 2016 (Wed) – Is 45:6-8,18,21-25/Ps 85:9-14/Lk 7:18-23
December 15 2016 (Thu) – Is 54:1-10/Ps 30:2,4-6,11-13/Lk 7:24-30
December 16, 2016 (Fri) – Is 56:1-3,6-8/Ps 67:2-3,5,7,8/Jn 5:33-36
December 17, 2016 (Sat) – Gn 49:2,8-10/Ps 72:1-4,7,8,17/Mt 1:1-17
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
WSC Reflection 11 December 2016
