3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Psalter: Week 3 / (Rose)
Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
My soul rejoices in my God.
1st Reading: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11
The spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up broken hearts, to proclaim liberty to the captives, freedom to those languishing in prison; to announce the year of Yahweh‘s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to give comfort to all who grieve.
I rejoice greatly in Yahweh, my soul exults for joy in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of his salvation, he has covered me with the robe of his righteousness, like a bridegroom wearing a garland, like a bride adorned with jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the Lord Yahweh make justice and praise spring up in the sight of all nations.
2nd Reading: 1 Thes 5:16-24
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every moment. This is the will of God, your vocation as Christians.
Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise the prophets‘ warnings. Put everything to the test and hold fast to what is good. Avoid evil, wherever it may be.
May the God of peace make you holy and bring you to perfection. May you be completely blameless, in spirit, soul and body, till the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord; he who called you is faithful and will do it.
Gospel: Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
A man came, sent by God; his name was John.
He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the Light, but a witness to introduce the Light;
This was the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?“ John recognized the truth, and did not deny it. He said, “I am not the Messiah.“
And they asked him, “Then who are you? Elijah?“ He answered, “I am not.“ They said, “Are you the Prophet?“ And he answered, “No.“ Then they said to him, “Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?“ And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord!“
Those who had been sent were Pharisees; and they put a further question to John, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?“ John answered, “I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.“
This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
REFLECTION:
Read: The Gaudete Sunday, where anticipation of the advent of the Lord fills everyone with joy. Isaiah delights in the mission and the promise of salvation given to him by the Lord. Paul gives a three-pronged commandment: rejoice, give thanks, and pray always. John the Baptist reveals his identity and mission before the people.
Reflect: True joy is possible only when one honestly accepts God-given identity and mission, and avoid comparing oneself with others. If John the Baptist were an insecure man, he could have grabbed the many identities attributed to him by others; but he didn‘t. He knew that he was not the Sun, but only a satellite. And in acknowledging it and refusing to be something other than what he is and meant to be, lay his joy and the lightness of being.
Pray: Pray for the gift of self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Act: Dine with your family today, joyfully accepting and affirming the being of each member.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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