SCRIPTURE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
                                Third Sunday of Advent
                                     “Gaudete Sunday”

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 35:1-6a, 10
        Today is Gaudete Sunday or “Rejoice” Sunday.  We are told Rejoice because the coming (Advent) of Our Lord is near.  In today’s first reading, Isaiah portrays a future time when God will redeem and restore his people.  They will return to Jerusalem with songs of joy and gladness.  Their kingdom will once again be just, as when David reigned; prosperity, justice, and peace will prevail.  Isaiah’s words are offering encouragement to the frightened exiles.  The Israelites are given images of transformation: deserts will bloom with flower, weak hands and knees will be strengthened, the lame will leap and the mute will sing (v. 5-6).  When a merciful God comes to their rescue, lives will be changed!  The prophet brings a vision of hope and encouragement for we see a God of
judgment and a God of incredible mercy.
        The signs of the coming of the Lord that Isaiah names in today’s reading are the same signs that Jesus will later point out to the disciples of John the Baptist in today’s Gospel reading: the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the mute sing.  Through today’s beautiful reading, Isaiah is offering hope to a frightened people.  God had promised to protect his people and he was faithful to his promise.  Eventually, the Babylonian exile ended and the Israelites returned safely to their holy land.
        When facing difficult situations in one’s life, once can feel
overwhelmed, stressed, and downhearted.  Today’s message from Isaiah offers hope.  With steadfast patience and hope, and with steady forward movement- one step at a time- God will gently lead us through the darkness into the light.  And we will rejoice and emerge singing, like our ancestors of long ago.

SECOND READING: JAMES 5:7-10
        In the second reading, James reminds his listeners to be patient for the Lord’s coming.  James used the example of the farmer who plants his seeds and then waits patiently for the rain to water his crops.  “Be patient do not lose heart, live the Christian life.  Be charitable, do not grumble, do not find fault with your neighbor,” he tells them.  Then he warns them that the end is near; that when the time for judgment comes, no one will want Christ to find fault with them.  The time for judgment is nearer
than one thinks, he continued.  The early church expected that Jesus would return soon after his Ascension.
        As time passed, the followers awaiting Jesus’ return grew discouraged and were wracked with doubt.  At the same time, they were suffering persecution.  It was to this discouraged, distraught people that James addressed his words in today’s reading.  “Be patient, calm your hearts, don’t grumble; be like the farmer who waits with confidence.”  James is offering hope to a people who are awaiting the coming of the Lord.  He is also  reminding the early followers of Christ that- at the Second Coming
of the Lord- we will each be held accountable for our behavior.  The best way to prepare for His Coming is to treat one another with mutual respect, patience, compassion, and kindness, not with judgmental, arrogant attitudes.  We must abide by the teachings of Christ: “love one another as I have loved you.”  Only then can we truly be prepared for his coming.

THIRD READING: MATTHEW 11:2-11
        John the Baptist had spent many years proclaiming the reign of God.  Now he could no longer spread the message, as he was imprisoned.  He sends two of his followers to find out if Jesus is the true Messiah.  Jesus sent back a message that one need only to look at the effects that his ministry is having- the sick are healed and the dead are brought back to life- to prove that he is indeed the awaited Messiah. Jesus is preaching of God's kingdom of healing and forgiveness.
        In this passage, Jesus also speaks to the crowd about John the Baptist.  He commends John for his faithfulness to the task of preparing the way for his (Christ’s) ministry.  Jesus points out the excellence of John the man; that no human being was greater than John the Baptist!  He was the messenger sent by God to prepare the way.  But what were they more attentive to...the message or the messenger?  Were they seeking a conquering hero who would obliterate their oppressors?
        This is the coming of a new age, Jesus announces, in which the humblest member would be greater than John.  Anyone who accepts Jesus’ invitation into the reign of heaven belongs to this new age and are citizens of this new kingdom.  To be baptized into the kingdom of God is a privilege; the poor, the lowly and the disenfranchised are no more receptive to this invitation than the powerful and the arrogant.
        The journey of faith is not without its hardships.  John the Baptist was martyred for his faith and convictions.  We are also called to live our faith with steadfastness and conviction in a permissive society that often looks down on those who are trying to live a life that is pleasing to God.  Patient endurance allows us to look forward in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord!