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December 12, 2022Reflection for Third Sunday of Advent: December 11, 2022
Isaiah 35:1-6a,10: In today’s new chapter in Isaiah, we move from a vision of judgment and punishment to a vision of restoration, renewal and God-given restoration and healing. This move in our liturgical focus can be seen, clearly, today as we celebrate “Gaudete” Sunday. Today, we exult in our joy in the Lord. The vision we start with is of a parched land receiving rejuvenating water and experiencing a Spring-like re-birth. This could well be symbolized by how our baptism and other Sacraments we receive, heal us and give us new life in our souls; transforming them, spiritually. When we receive the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, our souls go from being parched deserts of spiritual emptiness to fertile grounds for bearing fruit and sharing our faith and hope and joy with others! Reflect this week on Isaiah’s hope-inspiring promises of God’s healing power, compassion and mercy.
Psalm 46: “Lord, come and save us.” This psalm is a song of confidence, faith and trust in our mighty God! The psalmist expresses security in God’s ever-faithful love and attentiveness to us, God’s people. There is a sureness expressed in the author’s appreciation of God’s rendering of justice for the oppressed and His freeing of captives who are imprisoned, unjustly. This psalm gives great thanks for God’s multi-faceted care for our needs for such basic things as food and shelter, physical healing of disabilities such as blindness. God’s tender compassion for the oppressed, the disempowered and the poor are proclaimed in this appreciative psalm. The psalmist is certainly not taking our God for granted; nor should we. Let’s take some time this week to thank God for His many blessings and provisions for us and for those we love!
James 5:7-10: Today, James inspires us to practice patience. We are to ask God to help us to cultivate within ourselves confident hope and faith in God’s ability and Will to help us in our needs. James reminds us that God’s timetable may not be the same as ours. Sometimes, God’s answer isn’t “Yes, right away!” It may be “Yes… but not yet,” or it may be “No, I have something better for Your soul or for the soul of the other person or people you’re praying for.” Ultimately, this is a Sunday for praying to God to increase our trust in Him; even when situations seem least hopeful. When we’re fearful, we have to keep reminding ourselves that faith is a decision, not a feeling! Decide to have faith and trust in God and you will receive multiple rewards and consolations from God… both now and in the hereafter!
Matt 11:2-11: While we’re focusing on the importance of having faith and trust in Jesus and His mighty works, we have a marvelous Gospel reading to reflect on. We see John the Baptist in prison. Ponder and consider that John probably had a premonition that his time might be coming to an end very soon. John wants to be filled with hope and confidence that his successor, the Messiah, is near. So, what does John do? He sends his disciples to Jesus to ask if He’s “The One,” or “should we look for another?” Jesus sends John a spiritual injection of hope and reassurance: “the blind re-gain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, … the dead are raised.” John has his answer. Jesus is the Messiah. John’s followers also received the message, as did the followers of Jesus. How about us? Will we embrace “The Hope?”
With Joy,
Deacon Matt
