“If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness.” St. Charles Borromeo

One of the ways the Evil One tries to distract us from growing in relationship with God is by discouragement. We don't always see our progress day by day. In fact, many times we can't see our progress, even though God is doing something great in our lives. Our role is not to see but to be renewed in our commitment each day to grow in love of God and to act on that decision throughout the day. God is the initiator and the finalizer of the progress. Our role is to remain faithful in the service of the Lord in spite of the challenges.

 

“Start being brave about everything, driving out darkness and spreading light as well. Don’t look at your weakness, but realize that in Christ crucified you can do everything.” St. Catherine of Siena

Sometimes we allow ourselves to be stymied by the enormity of our weakness in certain areas of our lives. As long as we focus on our weakness, we will become more discouraged. Jesus told us to come to him and allow him to show us how to overcome our areas of sin by yoking ourselves to him. What I can't do alone, I can do through and in Jesus. He has already won the victory over sin and death. Leaning on and into him will give me the strength to rise above my sins. In him I can do everything.

 

Homily Third Sunday of Advent Year A

 

Reading 1: To understand Isaiah’s words, we have to put ourselves back in his time. The people of Israel had been conquered by their enemies because they did not live up to their covenant with God. They are in exile. In the midst of this desolate reality, Isaiah gives a message of hope.

 

 Isaiah finds joy even when things look bleak. Isaiah is prophesying what will happen when the promised Messiah comes. Nature itself will rejoice with celebration, the desert will bloom.  Isaiah sees beyond the weak hands, trembling knees, and lost hearts. He reminds the people that they will see the glory of God.  He reassures the Chosen People: “Be strong. Fear not. Be prepared. The Messiah comes to save us.” This is the reason for Isaiah’s joy: the promise of God to save them. How will they know? What the prophet hold on to is the conviction that everything will be transformed: Signs and wonders will occur: the blind will see; the deaf hear, the crippled will walk, and the mute will speak.

 

When the people returned from exile they experienced the initial fulfillment of God’s prophetic word. Jerusalem was desolate, but in time with the encouragement of God they rebuilt the city and the Temple and the glory of God returned to the Temple. But we know that the real fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy was fulfill by Jesus, who saved us from our sins and restored us to a sharing in God’s own life.

 

Gospel: John is in prison. He wants to make sure he made the right decision in pointing out Jesus as the Messiah. The doubt that John is expressing is not a questioning of his belief but a question of clarity. John had his own expectations about what the Messiah would do once he came. He thought he would be a fiery prophet like himself, condemning the sinners. John’s expectation was that Jesus would take up his prophetic mantel and continue to confront directly those who were not living righteously. The way Jesus was ministering was different than the way John ministered and expected Jesus to minister.

 

Instead, Jesus reassures his cousin that just as he fulfilled the plan of God, preparing for his coming, so Jesus himself is fulfilling the plan of God but in a different way. Fiery preaching was John’s method, Signs and wonders are Jesus’

Credentials. He preaches and confirms his words with signs and wonders or he performs signs and wonders with a teaching following.

 

Jesus say, “You John came in the spirit of Elijah, calling the people to repentance and confronting the powers to be head on. As Elijah’s life was threatened by Jezebel the queen, your life is threatened by the wife of Herod.” John fulfilled his role and suffered beheading in witness to his words. Jesus will suffer crucifixion in fulfillment of the words of the prophets.

 

We rejoice that John fulfilled his role in life, even though he was martyred for his conviction. We rejoice that Jesus fulfilled his role as Savior, even though he was crucified. Like Paul, we glory in Christ crucified, because through his death we have been saved and given a share in the life of God.

 

 

Reading 2: Isaiah was preparing the people for the first coming of the Messiah. Jesus is preparing us for his present and final coming.  Paul tells us that while we wait in patience and with firm hearts for his second coming, we need to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus in the present moment. How? We are called not to complain about one another, not judge others, but endure suffering from others as Christ did for our sake. We are called to keep our eyes on the coming of the Lord and not be distracted by the slights and criticism from others. It takes a bigger person to bless and not curse, to turn the other cheek and not strike back.

 

 

"Think well. Speak well. Do well. These three things, through the mercy of God, will make a man go to Heaven.” St. Camillus de Lellis

How do we grow in virtue and how do we fall into sin? By our thoughts, words and actions. These either lead us to a deeper relationship with God or become the paths to distance from God. Jesus implied that what comes from the heart of a person is that which determines his life. So, if we guard our thoughts, speak in love, and act in a way that reflects the will of God, then we are on the way to heaven. Easy? No. The only way? Yes

 Third Sunday of Advent Gospel A

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 

· Why is John questioning whether Jesus is the Messiah or not? John’s understanding of what the Messiah would do was different than what Jesus was doing. He was expecting a fire and brimstone Messiah.

· John knows that his time is coming to an end and he wanted to be reassured that his life was not for naught. Ever questioned whether your life had meaning, given the circumstances?

Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” 

· Jesus reassures John that his ministry is actually fulfilling the prophecies concerning the Messiah, especially those of Isaiah. (Isaiah 26:19; 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1).

· Jesus is asking John to trust in the Father’s plan for him rather than in John’s own expectations.

· Jesus wasn’t rebuking John for his questions but urging him to stand firm in his own conviction that he did the right thing.

· How hard is that for us to trust in the Father’s plan when it is different than what we want?

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” 

· Jesus now affirms John’s ministry and identifies that he was truly a prophet of God. To do this Jesus cites the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the messenger who would prepare the way of the Messiah.

· What is Jesus saying about John and himself? John was the prophesied forerunner pointing the Messiah out and Jesus was the Messiah whom John pointed to.

· What do we apply from this passage in our own lives?

 

“No one should follow what he considers to be good for himself, but rather what seems good for another. Let them put Christ before all else; and may he lead us all to everlasting life.” St. Benedict

During this Advent season when we are preparing for the coming of the Lord, we are called to imitate him. He, who is God, chose to become a man like us in all things except sin. He did this because of his great love for us. This love was eventually manifested when he laid down his life for our sake. Like him we are called to think of others so that one day we may be welcomed by him into eternity. Let that be your gift to Jesus this Christmas.

 “This important Marian feast occurs during Advent, a season of watchful and prayerful preparation for Christmas. She who knew better than anyone how to wait attentively for the Lord guides us and shows us how to make more vital and active our journey to the Holy Night of Bethlehem. With her, we spend these weeks in prayer and, guided by her bright star, hasten to make the spiritual journey that will lead us to celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation with greater intensity.” - Saint John Paul II

As we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we are reminded of the real purpose of this season of Advent. It is a spiritual preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Without this spiritual preparation, we may miss the gift that Jesus desires to give us with his birth. It is the gift of himself in a deeper way. Our prayer can be as simple as, "Come, Lord Jesus, come." But said intentionally and longingly, we may see Jesus with new eyes of faith, hope and love.