3rd Sunday of Advent (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: Children of the Father live in joyful hope, peace and love for the coming of Jesus, our Savior.
Theme: We prepare for the coming of Jesus, our Savior, when we joyfully proclaim the Good News to His people.
Promise: “The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7).
Reflection:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again, rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). This is the exhortation of St. Paul to all of us as we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, the Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for “rejoice.” It is symbolized by the pink candle of the Advent wreath. The reason of rejoicing is the Good News that Jesus Christ, our Savior, has come. Jesus was born; He became man to bring salvation to this world. His ministry of teaching and healing proved that He was the awaited Messiah and His mission was to bring man back to God. The prophecy of Zephaniah tells us: “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love,” (Zep 3:17). Celebrating Advent is truly a fulfilling way to prepare our mind and heart for Christmas.
“What should we do?” (cf. Lk 3:10). People, filled with much expectation, asked John the Baptist as he told them to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, preached repentance to them and baptized them with water. He strongly exhorted them to mend their ways, by being kind and generous, by showing compassion and justice to everyone, by being truthful and contented with the blessings they received. He taught them conversion from all forms of abuses, wrongdoings, and undisciplined ways which have remained uncorrected.
As disciples of our Savior, Advent is a good time to reflect and pray, asking the Lord the question, “what must I do,” and prepare ourselves to meet the Lord every time we celebrate Christmas. It is a season of giving, a time to share gifts. Perhaps, it is an opportunity to forego buying things for ourselves and, instead, find ways to share our material resources with our less fortunate neighbors. The gospel teaches us to give with love and responsibility, more than casual charity but sharing with empathy and concern for the poor, to allow them to experience life with joy and a bright hope for their future.
Another lesson we can learn from the gospel is the call to overcome self-centeredness, greed and abuse of authority, and instead act with honesty and justice. It is a challenge to ones dignity to practice Christian virtue and integrity at the work place and in all our professional and business transactions. The culture of wrongdoing becoming socially acceptable poses a great test which may confront us in our dealings, and requires a lot of discipline and resolve to do what is morally right.
Finally, John proclaimed to the people that “one mightier than I is coming,” (Lk 3:16). He pointed to Jesus Christ who came to baptize us with the Holy Spirit, empowering us with fire by His Gifts and Fruit. We are to live a life in the Spirit to maintain our relationship with the Lord, allowing Him to take over every aspect of our being and continue transforming us into righteousness, away from any transgressions that keep us away from God.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us pray that peace and harmony may reign in our hearts. Let us be grateful and truly rejoice in the Lord. As we acknowledge the Good News of our salvation and share this with others, we will live the promise of St. Paul to the Philippians, “The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,” (Phil 4:7).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we are grateful for fulfilling your promise to send Your Son, Jesus Christ, as our Messiah. Thank you for Your steadfast love and faithfulness. We are grateful for the bountiful blessings You have given us that we may share them in a good way. We pray for graces for people who are in need. Enlighten those who are tempted to do evil and be the light of their lives. We pray for a better Christmas this year as the effect of the pandemic continue to dwindle. We pray this through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Reflection Question:
- Have you ever experienced bringing joy to others, especially to those who are really in need of help, the homeless, the jobless, and the sick, those who are imprisoned? Share your feelings about this.
- What are your challenges in going out of your comfort zone to do evangelization & mission works? How do you intend to overcome these challenges?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
Dec 12, 2021 (Sun) – Zep 3:14-18/ Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6/Phil 4:4-7/ Lk 3:10-18
Dec 13, 2021 (Mon) – Nm 24:2-7, 15-17/ Ps 25:4-5, 6, 7, 8-9/ Mt 21:23-27
Dec 14, 2021 (Tue) – Zep 3:1-2,9-13/ Ps 34:2-3,6-7,17-18,19,23/ Mt 21:28-32
Dec 15, 2021 (Wed) – Is 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25/ Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14/ Lk 7:18-23
Dec 16, 2021 (Thurs) – Is 54:1-10/ Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12a, 13b/ Lk 7:24:30
Dec 17, 2021 (Fri) – Gn 49:2, 8-10/ Ps 72:3-4, 7-8, 17/ Mt 1:1-17
Dec 18, 2021 (Sat) – Jer 23:5-8/ Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19/ Mt 1:18-25
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
