Third Sunday of Advent
Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
Commentary:
Reading 1 Zep 3:14-18a
The Prophet Zephaniah begins this passage with an exaltation to praise to God. His invitation sounds in the present tense but then we hear; “On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem…” which places the event, the rejoicing over the Lord God being in their midst, in the future. In effect this is a prediction of events to come. Zephaniah also includes the effects of God’s presence as he says; “a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love”.
Responsorial Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
This hymn of praise is a profession of faith; “My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.” It also does something interesting in that it challenges those who profess that faith to proclaim it in the world; “…among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.”
Reading II Phil 4:4-7
St. Paul continues the theme of celebration of the Lord’s presences. The famous; Rejoice in the Lord always” statement is followed by a description of what occurs when we do this; “Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Basically, when we are aware that God in Christ is with us, his peace rests upon us and nothing can harm us.
Gospel Lk 3:10-18
We are given in this passage from the Gospel of Luke a unique insight into the similarities of the minds of Jesus and John the Baptist. In the first few verses of the passage, various members of the society are asking John what they should do (in response to John’s call for repentance). John tells the first group to share what they have with those who have less (sound familiar? “Love one another”). This general response is followed by more specific instructions for different groups; Tax Collectors and Soldiers.
The second part of this selection begins with the recognition of what we said above – John’s view on our response to God is very similar to Jesus’. The people begin to wonder if he might be the Messiah to which John responds; “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.” The air of expectation is, however, built up in the people with John’s enthusiastic proclamation of the good news.
Reflection:
If our preparation for the coming of the Nativity of the Lord has been progressing as if it were a real child coming into our midst, today’s scripture tells us we should put balloons and streamers in the space we create in our hearts. First in Zephaniah and again in the Psalm and in St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians we are told we should be celebrating this coming event that will change the world for all time.
The very air grows thick with expectation now as we hear (or imagine) John the Baptist’s booming voice calling out to us across two thousand years; “I am no the Messiah, if you think I’m holy and wise, wait, there is one coming after me who will blow your mind.” We rejoice in our expectation – when good things come it’s always that way. Waiting in expectation for the best things is always a great part of the experience.
Think about your younger years. When you were told by your parents you were going to do something very special, perhaps go on a special vacation or perhaps get a special possession like a boat or a camper, do you remember the giddy expectation (my children would say they tickled inside). Perhaps most appropriately we remember the night before Christmas as children when we could not get to sleep, knowing that Santa Claus would soon arrive and the presents would be there, under the tree.
What is it we expect now? Is it not a celebration of the Nativity of the Lord – the greatest gift we have ever and will ever receive? Can we put away the panic of the secularization of this holiday and embrace the warmth of that space we create in our hearts and rejoice in it? It is why we take a month to prepare ourselves in the Advent Season, to rekindle the childlike flames of expectation and ready ourselves for the coming of the Prince of Peace.
Pax
Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
Commentary:
Reading 1 Zep 3:14-18a
The Prophet Zephaniah begins this passage with an exaltation to praise to God. His invitation sounds in the present tense but then we hear; “On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem…” which places the event, the rejoicing over the Lord God being in their midst, in the future. In effect this is a prediction of events to come. Zephaniah also includes the effects of God’s presence as he says; “a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love”.
Responsorial Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
This hymn of praise is a profession of faith; “My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.” It also does something interesting in that it challenges those who profess that faith to proclaim it in the world; “…among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.”
Reading II Phil 4:4-7
St. Paul continues the theme of celebration of the Lord’s presences. The famous; Rejoice in the Lord always” statement is followed by a description of what occurs when we do this; “Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Basically, when we are aware that God in Christ is with us, his peace rests upon us and nothing can harm us.
Gospel Lk 3:10-18
We are given in this passage from the Gospel of Luke a unique insight into the similarities of the minds of Jesus and John the Baptist. In the first few verses of the passage, various members of the society are asking John what they should do (in response to John’s call for repentance). John tells the first group to share what they have with those who have less (sound familiar? “Love one another”). This general response is followed by more specific instructions for different groups; Tax Collectors and Soldiers.
The second part of this selection begins with the recognition of what we said above – John’s view on our response to God is very similar to Jesus’. The people begin to wonder if he might be the Messiah to which John responds; “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.” The air of expectation is, however, built up in the people with John’s enthusiastic proclamation of the good news.
Reflection:
If our preparation for the coming of the Nativity of the Lord has been progressing as if it were a real child coming into our midst, today’s scripture tells us we should put balloons and streamers in the space we create in our hearts. First in Zephaniah and again in the Psalm and in St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians we are told we should be celebrating this coming event that will change the world for all time.
The very air grows thick with expectation now as we hear (or imagine) John the Baptist’s booming voice calling out to us across two thousand years; “I am no the Messiah, if you think I’m holy and wise, wait, there is one coming after me who will blow your mind.” We rejoice in our expectation – when good things come it’s always that way. Waiting in expectation for the best things is always a great part of the experience.
Think about your younger years. When you were told by your parents you were going to do something very special, perhaps go on a special vacation or perhaps get a special possession like a boat or a camper, do you remember the giddy expectation (my children would say they tickled inside). Perhaps most appropriately we remember the night before Christmas as children when we could not get to sleep, knowing that Santa Claus would soon arrive and the presents would be there, under the tree.
What is it we expect now? Is it not a celebration of the Nativity of the Lord – the greatest gift we have ever and will ever receive? Can we put away the panic of the secularization of this holiday and embrace the warmth of that space we create in our hearts and rejoice in it? It is why we take a month to prepare ourselves in the Advent Season, to rekindle the childlike flames of expectation and ready ourselves for the coming of the Prince of Peace.
Pax
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