Third Sunday of Advent

Third Sunday of Advent - Year C

In this Sunday's Gospel we are presented with evidence that John the Baptist is beginning to gain traction with his message that God is nearer than people realise. 'A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people' and they began to ask John, 'What must we do?'

At first John's answer sounds so much like Jesus as he tells the ordinary people to share their blessings with those in need, and those with power not to take advantage of the vulnerable - 'Be content with your pay.' And I guess it makes sense that Jesus and John sound alike in their worldview - cousins whose families came together each year for the Passover festival as Luke's Gospel tells us.

But to be honest, as I reflected on these words, they fell a little flat for me. Be content?!! Where is the aspiration to raise up God's Kingdom? The ambition for the higher gifts that Paul encourages in his letter to the Corinthians?

Even the extract we get from Paul's letter this week seems a bit watered down. 'I want you to be happy' seems a far cry from the exultation of the prophet in the first reading, shouting for joy and rejoicing with all your heart. There seems to be a consistency issue here.

But maybe this is the point. Consistency is hard, and it takes a lot of effort.

Going back through the readings more carefully though, the old English teacher in me began to pick up on the high modality of the language that the prophet, the psalm, Paul and John all use - being always happy, finding greater peace, making the Good News known to all the earth, trusting always in God.

Suddenly the feeling of being underwhelmed that I started out with is overwhelmed by the question, how on earth am I going to live up to this kind expectation knowing that my energy, mood, concentration and motivation all fluctuate from day to week to month?

But in the words of the prophet in the first reading I find consolation.

Do not fear

God is in your midst

God will renew you with love

And this is the source of the joy that the third Sunday of Advent proclaims. We are not alone, God is with us. Rejoice!

Comments

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

Early in the final year of my teacher training at Mount Saint Mary's I fell in love. Within months I had decided that this girl was the one. By the end of that year I was off to the country as a beginning teacher, leaving her behind in Sydney to complete her own studies. For the next three years I lived alone in small flat next to the local footy oval. I involved myself in sport, community service and work, and kept myself very busy. I enjoyed it all, but without her, it was never home. In the latter part of my third year, I was applying for four or five jobs a week, longing to get back to her. After what must have been twenty-five or thirty applications a principal asked me straight out in an interview why I was so determined to come back to the city. I told him the truth, and within fifteen minutes of the interview, he offered me the job. I called my mum, and then I called Shayne. My experience of long-distance love (and telephone bills) is why the opening line of th...

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

In this Sunday's Gospel we hear the story of Mary and Martha. It is Martha, we are told, that welcomes Jesus into her house, and immediately she sets about doing exactly what is culturally expected of her. She begins to serve the Lord. We aren't given the details but we can imagine that she is preparing food, drink and welcome for Jesus. And that she would have come to wash his feet. Yet when she does, she finds that her sister Mary is there 'sat at the Lord's feet and listening to Him.' The Gospel tells us that Martha is frustrated - upset that she is doing all the work while her sister assumes the posture of a disciple. And it tells us that she directs her frustration at Jesus, not Mary. "Don't you care..." As we have come to expect, Jesus' answer challenges Martha's righteousness. Mary, she is told, has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her. The story ends abruptly, and we don't get to hear what Martha'...

Pentecost - Year C

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. The entrance antiphon proclaims that 'The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us.' The immediate and vivid memory this prompts in me is primary school, felt banners, guitars and children's voices belting out... ♫ God is dwelling in my Heart. He and I are one. All His joy He gives to me, through Christ His son. And with Jesus in my heart, what have I to fear. For He is the Son if God. In my Heart he is near. To this day it's a loud sense-memory, and a happy one. In the first reading this Sunday we also hear a loud sense-memory from the apostles. 'Suddenly, they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house.' The Gospel tells us that they were all gathered in one place 'for fear of the Jews.' It's not clear whether there is any particular threat that they are hiding from, or whether the...

Scripture Reflections Seeking Understanding

Search This Blog