1st READING
The third Sunday of Advent is always a bit of a break from the theme of repentance in that we briefly look forward to the joy of Christmas. Sometimes the priest will wear pink vestments to symbolize this joy. Today’s reading harks forward to the freedom and blessings of the Good News that will come with the ministry of Jesus.
Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11
1 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 lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, 2 to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God. 10 I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped
me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. 11 As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.
P S A L M
Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
R: My soul rejoices in my God.
46 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed: (R) 49 the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. (R) 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy. (R)
2nd READING
It is only the grace of God that can make us holy. The Holy Spirit is His gift to us to lead us in the ways of holiness and to empower and gift us with all we need to become holy. The greatest challenge we face is living in humility so that we will be willing to accept these gifts and put them to use in our lives. This is not a time to insist on doing things in our own strength or even according to our own wisdom.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16 Brothers and sisters: Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophetic utterances.
21 Test everything; retain what is good. 22 Refrain from every kind of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.
G O S P E L
John is the last of the prophets to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. There has not been a prophet in Israel for about the last 400 years. This would seem to suggest to me that the people should have been ready to embrace not just John, but the one he prepares for, Jesus. We know that this was not the case generally speaking. Why? Perhaps people had given up hope for a Messiah – but I doubt it! More likely, the challenging message of the Gospel was not to the liking of many who heard it.
John 1:6-8, 19-28
6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 19 And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are
you?” 20 he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
my reflections
think:It is only the grace of God that can make us holy.
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Hosea 9-11
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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