READINGS
First Reading: Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
to announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God. Is. 61:1-2
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it. 1 Thess. 5:23-24
Gospel: John 1: 6-8, 19-28
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
There it was ( Jesus ) -- the True Light coming into the world ( the genuine, perfect,, steadfast Light ) that illumines every person. Jn 1:6-9
The prophet Isaiah, Paul and John the Baptist all bear joyful witness to what God has done and will do for his people.
The readings for the Third Sunday of Advent remind us that the past, present and future coming of Jesus is the reason for our rejoicing. The first reading tells us that we should rejoice because the promised messiah is coming as our savior and liberator, saving us by liberating us from our bondages. St. Paul, in the second reading, advises us to “rejoice always” by leading blameless, holy and thankful lives guided by the Holy Spirit, because Christ is faithful to his promise that he will come again to reward us. Today’s gospel tells us that John the Baptist came as a witness to testify to the Light, i.e., Jesus. The coming of Jesus, the Light into the world is cause for rejoicing as he removes darkness from the world. We should be glad and rejoice also because, like John the Baptist, we, too, are chosen to bear witness to Christ Jesus, the Light of the world. We are to reflect his light in our lives so that we may radiate it and illuminate the dark lives of others around us. The joyful message of today’s liturgy is clear. The salvation we await with rejoicing will liberate both the individual and the community, and its special focus will be those who entirely depend on God 's Providence. It is much easier for the poor and the marginalized to look to God for all their needs and requirements.The others also should have the same attitude of dependency on God for is it not true that all that they presently enjoy is from the hands of God ? God appears to the needy in human form. May be He wishes to appear through us whenever we reach out to others in love and generosity ! Let us feel the warmth of joy in our hearts when we see the same joy reflected in the eyes of a needy neighbor.
God Bless.
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