Third Sunday of Advent
1ST READING
Today is sometimes called Gaudete Sunday, or Joyful Sunday, as we anticipate the birth of Jesus by a week or so. Listen to the joyful and lighthearted tones of this reading and try to enter into that spirit. We know that the beginning of the end of the work of salvation is about to commence with the birth of Jesus our Savior. It is indeed a good enough reason to be thankful and joyful of heart.
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
1 The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. 2 They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. 3 Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, 4 say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. 5Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; 6 then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the dumb will sing. 10 Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.
P S A L M
Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
R: Lord, come and save us.
6 The Lord God keeps faith forever, 7 secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. (R) 8 The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord raises up those who were bowed down; the Lord loves the just. 9 The Lord protects strangers. (R) The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. 10 The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. (R)
2ND READING
Conversion, like all good things in life, rarely happens immediately. More often than not, it takes time and effort on our part, as well as the grace of God to cement the changes into our lives. “Handout mentality” is never a good thing to develop — we have to cooperate with the grace of God for it to be truly effective in our lives. This is why Aquinas tells us that grace does not operate in a vacuum but requires nature, something of substance, such as a willing soul, to work with when it comes to bringing salvation to us.
James 5:7-10
7 Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. 10Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
GOSPEL
Jesus lists a whole lot of things that were traditionally associated with the coming of the Messiah. In other words, He is telling the disciples of John that He is the Messiah and that John no longer has to await His coming. The Jews still await the Messiah’s coming as they believe that Jesus is only a prophet. Maybe they will recognize Him when He comes again in glory — for Christians, His second coming. Let us pray that they will.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
Matthew 11:2-11
2 When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus 3 with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 4 Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 6 And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” 7 As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. 9 Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
think: Grace does not operate in a vacuum but requires nature, something of substance, such as a willing soul, to work with when it comes to bringing salvation to us.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Song of Song 1-4
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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