Community Word: The Nativity of Jesus, our Emmanuel, brings salvation to His people.
Theme: Our salvation is at hand when we joyfully accept Jesus as our Savior.
Promise: “Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense He comes to save you.” (Is 35:4b)
Reflection:
The messages offered by the First Reading and the Gospel for ‘Gaudete’ (Rejoice) Sunday give us the reason to rejoice – the Lord will come personally to save His people and to renew the face of the earth! God will come with mercy, kindness, and “with vindication” (Is 35:4b).
John the Baptist expected a Messiah who would execute judgment “to cut down and throw into the fire every tree that does not bear good fruit” (Mt 3:10-11). John expected the cleansing fire of swift divine judgment, prophesying that “the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire” (Mt 3:12). Apparently, many expected the same. John was quite surprised that Jesus came as a gentle Rabbi, yet still one who performed the miraculous works of God. What John heard and saw was one who brings forgiveness, healing, and mercy. Jesus explicitly says: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13; 12:7).
Community theme for this week states: Our salvation is at hand when we joyfully accept Jesus as our Saviour. John was surprised to find Jesus manifesting both power and humility that would reveal that He is indeed the awaited Messiah and that His mission is to bring salvation to all those who long for it.
Jesus assured John that the miracles and healing He performed were to fulfil the Messianic prophecies announced by Isaiah some 700 years before. That the Messiah would come to save His people, “the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened … the lame shall leap … and the mute sing for joy,” (Is 35:5). Jesus did not come to gain earthly power, but to serve His people and bringing life to them, to restore and save especially the marginalized.
Let us make God’s plan our own by accepting the challenge to joyfully answer the call to be instruments of His love. As we wait for the coming of the Lord, our vigilance presupposes that we need to be attentive to the signs of the times. We cannot be blind in responding to the most pressing needs of people who are suffering, grieving and severely affected by the effects of the pandemic, natural calamities, wars and discrimination in society.
John the Baptist paid with his life for courageously proclaiming God’s word and preparing the way for Jesus. Our Lord Jesus offers us the same assurance of faith and strength to stand against every force that would try to rob us of our determination to live and proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom. Let us be content, knowing we have what matters most – Christ’s presence in our lives, the only source of our inner strength, joy, and wisdom. Let us give glory to our Lord Jesus Christ for coming into our lives! God comes with kindness and mercy. He comes with humility and justice to save. For this is His assurance: “Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense He comes to save you,” (Isa 35:4b).
As Christ’s followers, we have come to know of the Saviour’s great love for us. “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me” (Mt 11:6). This is the time of the year to be firm and to stand to the truth that our Lord Jesus died and rose again so that we might live eternally with Him. It is the time to welcome Him to be borne in us, to stay deep within our hearts. It is the time to offer Him our gift of steadfast commitment and unwavering resolve to go back to Him and to persevere in Him.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, in our moments of doubt and darkness, fill us with Your presence. Strengthen our trust in Your word with hope in the saving power of Your kingdom. Free us from everything that would hold us back from pursuing Your will for our life.
Lord Jesus, you are the fulfilment of all our hopes and desires. Set our hearts afire, burning for Your love, your righteousness, peace and joy. May we always radiate Your love and mercy to others, as we lead them to the joy and truth of the Gospel. Amen.
Reflection Guide Questions:
- What signs do I see of God’s presence in the world today? Do I participate in the continuation of Christ’s mission on earth?
- What commitment as my gift for Jesus on His birthday this coming Christmas?
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!”
