Cycle C - Year I
16 December 2012: 3rd Sunday of Advent
(Liturgical color: Violet)
Luke 3:10-18
Living out God's word!
Today
we rejoice with the psalmist as we are mid-way in our Advent
pilgrimage, "Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great
and Holy One of Israel!"
It is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the first day of our novena-Masses or Simbang Gabi in preparation for Christ's birthday, and it is also Gaudete Sunday or Sunday or Rejoicing. In the second reading St. Paul invites the Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again, rejoice!"
As we draw very near to the big event of Christ's birthday, the scripture readings invite us to reflect on how best to prepare for that which really matters at Christmas time.
In the gospel last Sunday, we hear John the Baptist preaching to his audience and proclaiming a baptism of repentance to prepare the way of the Lord. The gospel for this Sunday is the continuation of last week. St. Luke writes that John attracted a number of followers who listen. And he challenges his followers to prove their change of heart and mind with concrete works in their day-to-day life. Because true repentance bears fruits in action.
So the crowd asks John what to do and how to live out God's word in their daily life. John gives some tips on Christian living: share with others, be fair and kind, and be content. In other words, these ways of doing and being are really just one in the commandment that Jesus gives us: "Love one another as I have loved you."
In practical sense, we must make greater efforts, especially during this Advent pilgrimage, to share with the hungry and homeless. We share with them out of God's gracious bounty for us. When we are more generous with our blessings, we realize we don't really need any of those things because we have the basics, the most important, God's love, and we can be content.
On this Gaudete Sunday indeed let us rejoice and be glad because the Lord is close at hand, as Christmas day comes very soon.
A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.
It is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the first day of our novena-Masses or Simbang Gabi in preparation for Christ's birthday, and it is also Gaudete Sunday or Sunday or Rejoicing. In the second reading St. Paul invites the Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again, rejoice!"
As we draw very near to the big event of Christ's birthday, the scripture readings invite us to reflect on how best to prepare for that which really matters at Christmas time.
In the gospel last Sunday, we hear John the Baptist preaching to his audience and proclaiming a baptism of repentance to prepare the way of the Lord. The gospel for this Sunday is the continuation of last week. St. Luke writes that John attracted a number of followers who listen. And he challenges his followers to prove their change of heart and mind with concrete works in their day-to-day life. Because true repentance bears fruits in action.
So the crowd asks John what to do and how to live out God's word in their daily life. John gives some tips on Christian living: share with others, be fair and kind, and be content. In other words, these ways of doing and being are really just one in the commandment that Jesus gives us: "Love one another as I have loved you."
In practical sense, we must make greater efforts, especially during this Advent pilgrimage, to share with the hungry and homeless. We share with them out of God's gracious bounty for us. When we are more generous with our blessings, we realize we don't really need any of those things because we have the basics, the most important, God's love, and we can be content.
On this Gaudete Sunday indeed let us rejoice and be glad because the Lord is close at hand, as Christmas day comes very soon.
A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.
Deo Optimo Maximo!
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