SCRIPTURE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
Third Sunday of Advent The message for this Third Sunday
of Advent is clear: Rejoice! The First Reading is a call for the faithful of God to rejoice. Their King, the Lord,
is with them in their midst. In the Second Reading from St Paul, his command to the Philippians is to rejoice always
in the Lord. In the Gospel, the crowds ask John the Baptist, "What should we do?" in awaiting the coming of
the Messiah. The answer was that they should live a virtuous, joy-filled life that proclaims that their Lord is coming. FIRST READING: Zephaniah 3:14-18
In today's first reading, the prophet Zephaniah writes
to the people of Jerusalem. They have been forgiven and renewed in God's love and have reason to sing, dance, and shout
for joy. Zephaniah was a prophet who preached to the people of Jerusalem during the latter part of the 7th century B.C.
This was a low-time for religion. Many people had left the worship of Yahweh and were worshiping idols. Zephaniah
chastised them for having allowed themselves to be led astray.
But, he also had good news.
A small remnant of God's chosen people will be saved. It is to that remnant-those who have remained faithful-that God
will fulfill his promise. God will forgive them and will send a lasting peace. A key phrase in today's reading
is:"The Lord your God is in your midst; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will sing joyfully because of you."
(v. 17) Zephaniah is telling his people that they have been forgiven and that God dwells in their midst; this personal
God will be rejoicing, singing, and joyfully celebrating with all who have been faithful and are awaiting him. So, if
our Yahweh God is singing and joyfully celebrating, so should those who await his coming.
Stop for a moment and reflect on this message. We are sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Christ.
It is our birthright- we should sing and celebrate! Even in the midst of trials and misfortunes, God is with us.
It is in our darkest hour that is is most difficult to trust that God is with us; but hope does not disappoint. God
does not abandon us. We have been renewed and we have been forgiven- let us exult with all our hearts and shout for
joy! SECOND READING: Philippians 4:4-7
Paul writes today's second
reading from prison. News had reached him that two of his ministers in the Macedonian church had quarreled and were
now at odds with each other. The two, both women, Evodia and Syntyche, had worked with Paul in Philippi. In his
letter, Paul attempts to reconcile the two women. "Life is too short to harbor resentments," he seems to be
saying, "Concentrate on what is important in life."
He then includes recommendations
to the Philippian community as a whole. "Your kindness should be known to all...have no anxiety at all, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." (v. 6) It requires a deep
faith to pray with "no anxiety at all," especially when life hands us paintful moments; but even then, Paul urges
his readers to rejoice. Rejoicing reflects prayerful trust in the Lord, and it opens one's heart to receive the peace
of mind and joy that he longs to give each of us.
A true Christian is already on the road to
heaven. Heaven is a place of pure happiness and peace. With the proper attitude and a joyful spirit, that peace
is available to us today. So, let us do what Paul asks of us today: "Rejoice in the Lord always!" He
will guard us in all our ways. GOSPEL: Luke 3:10-18
For over 200 years God's chosen people had been without a prophet sent by God. Now throughout Palestine a young man
was causing a stir with his preaching. The man was John the Baptist, and his message was: "Change your heart, turn
to God...make straight the way of the Lord." The emphasis of today's Gospel reading is on John the Baptist's preaching
as he calls for repentance. Upon hearing John's preaching, the multitudes were willing to repent and change their hearts,
but how? "What should we do?" they asked.
When the crowd put this question
to John, his answer was tied to repentance. For John, repentance was more than just feeling sorry for your past sins.
Repentance meant an entire conversion from your former life; it meant turning away from sin in your heart, mind, and soul.
In short, it meant turning away from evil inclinations and turning towards God. John encouraged his listeners to show
concern for their fellow man; to improve their moral behavior with acts of love. John gave them some practical advice
on how they could go about changing the way they lived, so that their new behavior would bear witness to their conversion
and repentance while they waited for their Messiah.
As an example, John addressed two of the
most despised classes of people of his time: tax collectors and Roman soldiers. These two groups were responsible for
much of the abuse of the Jewish people. Injustice was widespread. John's answer to the people was simply: "Be
just." To the others, he called for a sharing of goods with those who were deprived and needy.
Many in the crowd thought that John might be the Messiah. To these, John responds that he was chosen by God to prepare
the way for Christ. He felt that he was not even worthy to be the Messiah's servant. The Baptist could only baptize
with water, but "...the mighty one will baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit." (v.16)
John's words and examples are still relevant today. We are called to 'prepare the way' for Christ, just as John the
Baptist did. How are we preparing for the coming of Christ this Christmas? Are we scurrying about buying gifts,
preparing for parties and indulging in food, fun, and entertainment, while at the same time ignoring those in need-those who
have no food nor gifts to buy? Today's Gospel instructs us, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person
who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise." (v.11) Let us ask the Holy Spirit to move us into
action, so that our hearts may be truly prepared for Christ's arrival. -Sunday,
December 13, 2009 |
