Third Sunday of Advent

First Reading  -  Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11  The church refers to the Third Sunday of Advent as Gaudete Sunday, which means “Rejoice” Sunday.  This reading from Isaiah is cause for rejoicing.  Isaiah is called to bring glad tidings to the poor and announce a year of favor from the Lord.  He tells his people that the past year with its trials and tribulations is coming to an end and all things will be renewed.

I am sure that we can resonate with these words.  This year – indeed the past few years – have been hard for everyone.  What kind of “favor” are you hoping for this year?  What “glad tidings” do you want to hear?  Think about this and hand them over to Jesus.

Second Reading  -  1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24.  Paul first came to Thessalonica in 50AD, after being expelled from Philippi. Paul preached in the synagogue there but his preaching started a riot among the people.  Paul was not able to return to Thessalonica so he wrote two letters to the people there.  This reading is from the first letter. 

Rejoice.  Pray.  Give thanks.  That sounds easy, yes?  Isn’t Christianity supposed to be more complicated?  Is there anything else we are supposed to do?  No.  Paul’s mandates are rather simple, but incredibly difficult at the same time.  Paul suffered terribly in Thessalonica but could still praise God for His blessings.

Have you suffered as Paul did?  Have you ever been misunderstood? Persecuted? Criticized?  Were you still able to rejoice and give thanks?  I struggle with that in my own life.  For what are you thankful?  What causes you to rejoice?

Gospel  -  John 1:6-8, 19-28.  John.  Best name in the world.  Oh, sorry!  On to other matters.  John testified to the light.  That was his entire mission.  He did not focus on his own needs, wants and desires, rather he focused on God’s will – to preach a new kingdom.  He also makes an interesting response when the priests and Levites ask “Who are you then?”  “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make way the way of the Lord,” he says.  He defines himself by the task that God gave him.  Interesting.

What are the needs and desires of our heart?  Can we put those aside and put God’s needs there?  Remember Jesus’ words:  Not my will but yours be done.  What is the task God gives me today?  Ask God what that task is and be open to being his instrument throughout our day.

I invite your comments.