3rd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 11, 2022 (EPISODE-395 )
Readings for Sunday, December 11, 2022 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - A
FIRST READING: Isa 35:1-6a, 10
Ps 146:6c-7, 8-9a, 9b-10. "Lord, come and save us"
SECOND READING: Jas 5:7-10
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Isa 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)). Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring the Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Matt 11:2-11
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1568131969. Brussels, Belgium. 2017/10/27. Icon of Saint John the Forerunner (the Baptist, "Angel of the Desert"). Orthodox Chapel at the Brussels Zaventem Airport.Editorial Use Only.
Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel.
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for 3rd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 11, 2022, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-advent-3a-third-sunday-of-advent-year-a-episode-395/s-HlUtY8DHu0s (EPISODE- 395)
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This weekend is also known as Gaudete Sunday... which means rejoice!.. Although we are still waiting and preparing for the Arrival of the LORD, his comIng is ever nearer. Our hearts are lifted in joy and expectation for the Lord is near... the following hymn words inspire me in this joy and hope...
HYMN
Suggested tune: qua 76 76 D Aurelia.
Wait when the seed is planted,
Wait for the rain to fall;
Wait for the restless green sprout,
Wait while the plant grows tall.
Wait for the coming Saviour,
Wait through the heart's slow race;
Wait for the kingdom's dawning,
Wait till we see his face!
Hope when the sun is setting,
Hope through the dark of night;
Hope though the moon is waning,
Hope as we long for light.
Hope for the coming Saviour,
Hope through the heart's slow race;
Hope for the kingdom's dawning,
Hope till we see his face!
Trust in the new spring's promise,
Trust through the summer's heat;
Trust in the dying autumn,
Trust through the winter sleet.
Trust in the coming Saviour,
Trust in the heart's slow race;
Trust in the kingdom's dawning,
Trust till we see his face!
(P204. Magnificat DEC 2019: vol 10; no.2).
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The letter from Saint James, (second reading this weekend), has the beautiful image of Patience being like a farmer planting and tending to their crop. The crop grows in its own time. It cannot be hurried… Well, perhaps a bit of encouragement by the right amount of watering, the correct soil and fertilizer… but still, they grow at their own rate… The seasons, times and conditions affect it greatly. We do the work we can, but then we have to wait for as long as it takes. And be ready to get to work when the time for harvest eventually does come.
Our Lord was very familiar with images of the land and of farming and other images. His heart is surely with those who are doing it tough and he would certainly want our hearts and actions to offer practical support to these people too - .
The preaching and the message style of John the Baptist are so different from that of Our Lord's. John preached God's imminent judgement and the uprooting of the weeds… and then Our Lord came along proclaiming a time of God's favour and inclusion and mercy…. Even John had to ask.. "are you the one who is to come, or ought we to wait for another?" But both visions of God's Messiah or King are found in different parts of the Holy Scriptures. There was a bit of varying vision going on: Jesus was clearly fulfilling the image of the Lord's anointed one in Isaiah 35:5-6, The blind shall see, the lame shall walk, the deaf shall hear… whereas, Saint John seemed to be focusing on passages like Psalm 17 (also known as psalm 18 in the Catholic numbering system): eg vv39-40 "You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes."
The Lord in beautiful humility answered the question without boasting but simply referring to the evidence of the truth around him.
The Lord is indeed the King, the Messiah. He ushers in God's Kingdom with his gospel.
"the gospel is proclaimed to the poor by way of concrete actions. – by giving life to others… practically assisting the poor, the injured, the suffering, the blind the lame. The Kingdom and all who belong to it will primarily proclaim the Kingdom by their practical actions, bringing peace, compassion, mercy and love.
Even though John's message was challenging. John the Baptist must have been an extremely likeable and charismatic figure. We are even told that King Herod who imprisoned him for his outspoken criticism of him, nevertheless liked him and was enthralled to hear what John had to teach and say.
Our Lord is truly the Messiah but he wants us to let go of expectations of him and his Kingdom that are more about earthly power; rather than God's mysterious and gracious ways.
Us humans must really try the patience of God. Here come The Messiah and some people say to him…. "you aren't doing and saying what WE expected the Messiah to do and say….. so we are not sure if you fit the bill……."….. Our Lord, with infinite patience and grace, replies, (in effect), to all who hesitate… "I am indeed the messiah… now let me show you who the messiah is and what he does. Let ME show you just what the Kingdom of God and its values are really like…. Put aside your pre-suppositions about how you think things SHOULD be, and see how they really are…..
(Sadly, many who had spent their lives and careers building their world according to their own self-serving vision, were not prepared to receive this challenging shift towards God's ways of seeing and acting….)… To his credit, John the Baptist and countless followers of the Lord after him did indeed open their minds and hearts to Christ's message. Of course, if God wants to save us by Mercy and Grace, instead of by Judgement and vengeance; so be it! Who are we to question Christ? Surely God knows best.
The qualities of the disciple of Christ are the qualities of God's Kingdom… which must be about giving justice to those who are burdened, compassion to those in need, and helping the poor and needy in real and practical ways. The Kingdom is about sheltering and including the stranger, the outsider, and showing real mercy, patience, respect, and care….… Showing true care, compassion and active assistance.
All who follow Christ are urged to be patient, diligent and open. In the mean-time, we are to live and practise the values of God's kingdom… Patience, reverence, hope, service, and harmony - avoiding complaining about one-another; not getting caught up in factions and rivalries and disputes...
Waiting and working for the coming of the Lord who comes to save us.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
Pilch, J. (1995). The Cultural World of Jesus. SUNDAY BY SUNDAY, CYCLE A. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.
Image Credit: Renata Sedmakova. Shutterstock licensed. stock photo ID: 231054742. SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 29, 2014: The carved polychrome relief of St. John the Baptist in prison from church Iglesia de la Anunciacion by Martinez Montanes from 18. cent.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1568131969. Brussels, Belgium. 2017/10/27. Icon of Saint John the Forerunner (the Baptist, "Angel of the Desert"). Orthodox Chapel at the Brussels Zaventem Airport.Editorial Use Only.
Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel.
3rd Sunday of Advent - A (Sunday, December 11, 2022) (EPISODE- 395)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}}
My brothers and sisters, trusting in God's mercy and love, let us call to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick: Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 146:6c-7, 8-9a, 9b-10. "Lord, come and save us"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Isa 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)). Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring the Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Advent II
Eucharistic Prayer II
(theme variation: 3)
(welcome cycle- (welcome 6) Good evening/morning. Welcome to this Eucharist as we celebrate the NNN Sunday in SSSSSS. For all who are celebrating special events at this time, may God's blessing and care be deeply experienced for you and your families. Please check to see that your mobile devices are switched off or turned to silent. Our Presider tonight/today is Fr………………………… Please stand as we sing our entrance hymn: "__________" *)
(pre+post variation: v1-short)
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{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}
Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
"O Come. Lord. (Advent) HYMN" - In Memory of Paolo Mario (Paul) Giacomantonio (1968-2020).
By Paul W. Kelly. Based on the Ancient church "O Antiphons" of Advent.
Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics, By Stefan Kelk, 2020.
Quiet reflection music and hymn - Original musical composition by William John kelly (1942-2017)
Lyrics based on the Song of Praise by the Three Young Men, The Book of Daniel 3:24-9. By Paul kelly.
Arranged and sung, and with adapted lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2021
[ Production - KER - 2022]
May God bless and keep you.
Extra Text : unspoken for Advent: -
Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA.
"The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.
Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993) .+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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