Third Sunday of Advent
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Jn 1: 6-8, 19-28
December 17, 2023 | Sunday
A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but a witness to introduce the Light; This was the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” John recognized the truth, and did not deny it. He said, “I am not the Messiah.”
And they asked him, “Then who are you? Elijah?” He answered, “I am not.” They said, “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?” And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord!”
Those who had been sent were Pharisees; and they put a further question to John, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” John answered, “I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”
This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Today’s Reflection:.
Today is Gaudete Sunday. The Second Reading from Saint Paul reminds us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every moment.”
He immediately adds: “This is the will of God, your vocation as Christians.” These words of the Apostle found their echo in Pope Francis’ words in December 2020 during his Angelus address: “Arriving at Christian joy is no cakewalk, but if we put Jesus at the center of our lives, it is possible to have a joyful faith.” The life and vocation of a Christian is not easy. But with Jesus close to us, it is possible to be joyful and serve him with gladness even amidst the darkness around us. May we
never forget that Jesus is the Christian’s only source of joy.
Like John the Baptist in today’s gospel, may God grace His Church with many men and women who will point to us the Lord Jesus when we seem to lose sight of
Him or when we get drowned by the concerns of this world. May the Baptist continue to fulfill his mission of pointing the Lamb of God to His people especially now
that Christmas is almost around the corner. / Vulnerasti, 2023
