3rd Sunday of Advent

1st Reading: Is 35:1-6a, 10
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
2nd Reading: Jas 5:7-10
Gospel: Mt 11:2-11

OPENING PRAYER

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

LECTIO

Take some time to intentionally read the readings, specifically the Gospel. Reading it twice, even three times, going slower each time.

MEDITATIO

Meditate on the passage and see if any words or phrases stand out to you. Focus on them and try to see what the Lord is trying to tell you through them. After you spend some time doing this, feel free to supplement your meditation with the following reflection:

At every Mass this weekend, you’ll notice that our priests are wearing rose vestments. That’s because it’s the 3rd Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday! This Sunday is set apart so we can rejoice and prepare ourselves for the Lord’s coming at Christmas.

Now, rejoicing isn’t always easy. With the news of war and violence constantly on our news cycles and news feeds, it can sometimes be a little difficult to rejoice. However, as we see in today’s Gospel, even in the worst of circumstances, we can find hope and joy.

St. John the Baptist is in prison, most likely feeling like his faith is being tested, and sends his disciples with a question to Jesus: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" John seems like a very blunt and to-the-point kind of fella. Imagine how John reacted when his disciples returned to him with Jesus’ response to his question. As we read, Jsesus confirms His identity as the Messiah by explaining the miracles that are occurring.

The blind regain their sight.

The lame walk.

Lepers are cleansed.

The deaf hear.

These are not just a promise of future miracles, they are written in the present tense. They are happening in John’s present. John would’ve jumped with joy – similarly to how he did in the womb during the Visitation. The Messiah is here now. Everything he was pointing to has begun. The way has been prepared. His whole being must have felt a sigh of relief! Even in a prison cell, even when it seems bleak and empty, there is always hope.

Now, we know that John died before seeing the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises. However, we now know how everything worked out. This should be a source of encouragement for when things are difficult: things might not always be easy, but they are worth offering up to the Lord with joy.

ORATIO

What do you want to tell the Lord?
What is it that you desire to bring to Him?
What have these meditations stirred in your heart?

CONTEMPLATIO

Do I rejoice in the Lord?
Am I patient with Him when it comes to His plans and promises.
Do Itrust the Lord, even when things are tough?

OPERATIO

How can I rejoice more in my life?
How can I trust the Lord more?
Who is one person I can speak with and share in their joy?

CLOSING PRAYER

O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.