Third Sunday of Advent
Intro: Traditionally, this is called "Gaudete Sunday" from the opening words of the Mass in latin. The readings tell us how Jesus fulfils the ancient prophecies about the Messiah, the One Who would make the blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb speak, the lame walk. The Baptist sees these signs, and sends his own disciples to check out Jesus - whether He really is the One, or do they have to wait and look for another.
Readings: Isaiah brings encouragement to a weary people, and announces the coming of God.
James recognises the restlessness of the Jewish community, and asks them to remain patient in their suffering, so that they will be ready to meet the Lord when He comes again at the end of time.
Isaiah 35: 1 -6, 10;
James 5: 7 - 10;
Matthew 11: 2 - 11;
Waiting for a bus .. waiting for a hospital appointment .. waiting for the result of a test .. waiting to grow old .. waiting for death. Strange how much waiting there is in
the course of a lifetime.
Today's readings show that waiting has a value. St. James draws from nature: farmers know that everything takes time; it's never a case of seed in one day, crop another or cutting a tree down can take a matter of hours, growing one will take many years.
The Baptist spent his life waiting and preparing for the coming of the Messiah, even when he was imprisoned by Herod. He'd always imagined that the Messiah would be a mighty warrior passing fierce judgement on his enemies. But Jesus appeared to be so different, and we can almost hear the anguish in John's voice as he tells his friends to go and ask this Jesus, "Are you the One who is to come, or do we have to look for another?" Had his whole life been in vain? Could such a one really be the Messiah?
Even in spite of that, he seems to have preserved a spirit of openness, a readiness to trust God. And his reward is indeed surprising: he's told .. those who are deaf hear, the dumb speak, the blind see, the sick are healed, and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor. So perhaps his waiting has not been in vain after all!
At the same time, waiting isn't an excuse for doing nothing. A priest stopped to congratulate a retired man who had just moved into a property where the garden had been a complete tip, and remarked that it was amazing what could happen when God and humans worked in tandem "don’t know about that," said the old fellow, "you should have seen the mess it was when God had it to Himself"
As Christians, we are an Advent people, not simply because for a few weeks each year we await Christ's birth at Christmas, but rather because our whole life is a time of waiting, a time of preparation for the time when He will come again. Like the Baptist, we are invited to go on patiently waiting and growing in God's friendship until that day when the waiting will be over, and we shall finally see
the God for whom we have waited, for whom we have longed, for whom we have sought our whole life long, face to face.
Jesus might well ask us today, "Am I the One you are looking for? And if I am, then come, follow me ... love as I have loved ... forgive as I have forgiven ... offer your life, as I have offered Mine."
Advent reminds us that we have a two-fold mission: like John, we have to prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of the Lord. Unlike John we must also to continue to be messengers, ambassadors for Christ, even during the times when our own faith is tested.
Today, Gaudete Sunday, we are called to rejoice as we focus on the reality of the Lord's coming, while in our Eucharist, we are called to rejoice as we focus on the
reality of the Lord's presence here and now. Advent gives us the opportunity to sharpen our focus on both of these realities.
Intercessions
The Lord is always close to His people, and we rejoice in the knowledge that our prayers are always heard. With this assurance in mind, we turn to Him with all our needs:-
1. For the Church. May She always remain raithful to the preaching of the Gospel message entrusted to Her care - Lord, hear us.
2. For peace in our world, especially betwen Russia and Ukraine. Free all people from the threat of war, violence and corruption - Lord, hear us.
3. For those for whom this season is hard or meaningless. Help them to face their future with more confidence in Your love and compassion - Lord, hear us.
4. For children and young people, that they may come to realise the real meaning of Christmas; for those who suffer violence and abuse, Help us all to work to protect their rights and their innocence, so that they may experience the joy of knowing You in their lives - Lord, hear us.
5. The dead suffered the pain and loss of human life. Give Margaret Lealon, Len Byrne and James McGowan who have died recently, together with Thomas Reilly, Robert Russell, Hugh Carson and Mark Gordon, whose anniversaries we celebrate, the fullness of life and joy in Heaven - Lord, hear us.
Heavenly Father, we, the people with whom You have chosen to continue Your work and show Your presence in our world, ask You now to hear and answer these prayers.