14th December, 3rd Sunday of Advent
GAUDETE!
Solemn Mass at Hockley 10.30am
Celebrant and Preacher: Fr. Jeff Woolnough
December 14th 2014 – Third Sunday in
Advent
One Who is Coming
Readings
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Advent Reflection for the 3rd
Sunday by Dr. Scott Hahn http://www.salvationhistory.com/
The
mysterious figure of John the Baptist, introduced in last week’s readings,
comes into sharper focus today. Who he is, we see in today’s Gospel, is best
understood by who he isn’t.
He is not
Elijah returned from the heavens (see 2 Kings 2:11), although like him he
dresses in the prophet’s attire (see Mark 1:6; 2 Kings 1:8) and preaches
repentance and judgment (see 1 Kings 18:21; 2 Chronicles 21:12-15).
Not Elijah
in the flesh, John is nonetheless sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to
fulfill his mission (see Luke 1:17; Malachi 3:23-24).
Neither is
John the prophet Moses foretold, although he is a kinsman and speaks God’s word
(see Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 6:14). Nor is John the Messiah, though he has
been anointed by the Spirit since the womb (see Luke 1:15,44).
John
prepares the way for the Lord (see Isaiah 40:3). His baptism is symbolic, not
sacramental. It is a sign given to stir our hearts to repentance.
John shows
us the One upon whom the Spirit remains (see John 1:32), the One who fulfills
the promise we hear in today’s First Reading (see Luke 4:16-21). Jesus’ bath of
rebirth and the Spirit opens a fountain that purifies Israel and gives to all a
new heart and a new Spirit (see Zechariah 13:1-3; Ezekiel 36:24-27; Mark 1:8;
Titus 3:5).
John comes
to us in the Advent readings to show us the light, that we might believe in the
One who comes at Christmas. As we sing in today’s Responsorial, the Mighty One
has come to lift each of us up, to fill our hunger with bread from heaven (see
John 6:33, 49-51).
And as Paul
exhorts in today’s Epistle, we should rejoice, give thanks, and pray without
ceasing that God will make us perfectly holy in spirit, soul, and body - that
we may be blameless when our Lord comes.
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