SCRIPTURE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

                                   Third Sunday of Advent

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 61:1-2a, 10-11

            Today is a Guadete (“Rejoice”) Sunday.  We begin to focus on the coming of the Messiah in his human form.  Today’s reading addresses the captives who have been set free from the Babylonian exile.  The words in this passage offered encouragement and promise to a people who endured much suffering.  These same words were fully realized when Christ the Messiah was born in Bethlehem, for he came to bring salvation to all people.

            “He has sent me to bring glad tiding to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners…(v. 1).”  This announcement of good news offered a ray of hope to the downtrodden and the oppressed.  The captives of Babylon have returned to Israel and now they face the tremendous task of rebuilding their country; Isaiah encourages them to persevere and to trust in the Lord.  Israel’s debt of sin has been erased and slavery has ended.  This renewed covenant with the Lord has filled the people with joyful hope. 

            The former captives realized that they must work harder at being one with the God who set them free, to establish justice and righteousness in their newly rebuilt land.  As instruments for the Lord, who came to set us free, let us reach out to our neighbor in need so that “justice may spring up before all the nations,” and the “hungry may be filled with good things;” for we too have been anointed to bring glad tidings to the poor, to the brokenhearted, to the prisoners and to all people.

SECOND READING: I THESSALONIANS 5:16-24

            In these verses, which we read from Paul’s epistle to his Thessalonian converts, he urges his converts to thank God always for their gift of faith.  They are to avoid evil and do only what is good.  If they hold true to the gifts of the Spirit, God- who has called them to faith- will enable them to die in his friendship.  God is faithful.  He keeps his promises.

            Paul also tells them to “rejoice always."  He is not denying that there is much suffering in this life; rather he is asking his converts to recall that rejoicing comes from knowing that in Christ’s resurrection even death itself has been overcome.

            Paul wrote this letter in response to a concern of the Thessalonians (who were expectantly waiting for the second coming of Christ) that some of the newly baptized had died and they wondered if those converts had ‘missed out’ on seeing Christ again.  Paul assured them that those who have already died will rise with Christ. He is urging them- and us- to be truly ready “for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” by having a joyful spirit, praying constantly and giving thanks to God for whatever happens in our lives.

            Those who live their lives in such a manner, who are loyal to God, kind to their neighbor and bear with patience the trials of life will be found holy and blameless when Christ comes again.  So let us rejoice and not lose heart! Jesus is coming!

GOSPEL: JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28

            Today, St. John describes John the Baptist’s activity at the Jordan as he prepared the people for the public ministry of Jesus.  We are told that the Baptist was “a man sent by God (v. 6).”  His name was John, “Yohanan” in Hebrew, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.”  His mission was to testify to the true light of the world and to bear witness to the coming of the Savior.

            The priests and Levites questioned John about his identity.  The Baptist declares that he is not the Messiah, but “the voice of one crying out in the desert (v. 23)” preparing the people to meet the Messiah who was already in their midst.  But the high priests and people in power failed to recognize him.  John came to clear a path for the coming of Christ, the “Anointed One,” so that the people may come to see the Messiah in their midst.

It is to the poor and disenfranchised that the Messiah comes, offering hope, healing and joy.  The proud and the powerful have no room in their hearts for the humble Son of God and are blind to his presence among them.  Like John the Baptist, we also have a mission to bring the Light of Christ to others, and we do so when we open our hearts to those who are hurting or lonely, poor or abused, hungry or imprisoned.

            On this ‘Gaudete’ Sunday, let us rejoice that the Birth of Jesus is drawing near, that we may prepare our hearts through the Sacrament of Reconciliation being offered in our parishes, and that we may be led by the Holy Spirit to do what is right and just.

-Sunday, December 11, 2011