Commentary on the Readings for Sunday – December 13, 2009
The Third Sunday in Advent
There is a popular old secular Christmas song that begins with, “Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, all along the way.” Of course, this is referring to the decorations being displayed all over and preparations for the ‘big day.’ The Readings for the Third Sunday in Advent are something like that. They are telling us to “rejoice” because “the Holy One of Israel is among you.” For us today, if we have been preparing, as the readings for the previous Sunday’s have asked us to do, then we can and should rejoice because the Christ Child of Bethlehem is near.
The First Reading is taken from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah (3:14 – 18a). Although Zephaniah’s prophesy came at a time of religious degradation and apostasy among the Jewish people of his time, the Prophet is trying to get the few faithful to be encouraged by reminding them that God has not forgotten them and, indeed, He is in their midst as a mighty savior. For those who are prepared, God will rejoice over them with gladness and renew in them His love.
The Responsorial Song is from the Prophet Isaiah (12:2 – 6). This passage comes right after the Prophet’s prophesy of the coming of the Messiah and it exhorts the Jews to rejoice and be thankful because of the many blessings given to the people from God. It also stirs up great anticipation at the coming of the Savior and ends with the exclamation about God’s constant watch over His people by saying, “Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
The Second Reading is taken from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Philippians (4:4 – 7). This portion of the Letter comes toward the end where Paul is exhorting the Philippians to rejoice because of their love and kindness to him and to each other. His message is one of assurance that if they are prepared for the coming of the Lord, then they should have no anxiety, but if they still have needs, to bring them to God in prayer and they shall have peace that surpasses all understanding.
The Gospel Reading is taken from theGospel of Luke (3:10 – 18) and it tells of John the Baptist’s teaching by sharing earthly possessions with those less fortunate. The people were drawn to the Baptist because they were in need of direction they could understand and identify with. They were also drawn to him because they thought he might be the Messiah. However, John in his humility, acknowledges that he was not the Christ – that there was One greater who will come and he goes on to describe this Great One in terms they understood.
Today, we have too much information which we call ‘information over-load.’ We have tendency to gloss over words that we have heard often. We don’t take the time to let what we hear with our ears settle into our heart. How unfortunate! We are now more than half way through Advent. Most of our shopping is done; greeting cards have been sent and received, the dinner menu has been established, but where is your heart? So, the above readings challenge us to take some time for prayer during this busy season. Find a quiet place and a time when you won’t be disturbed and sit there and ask the good Lord to come into you heart. When done seriously, with meaning and conviction, you will soon realize that “the Holy One of Israel is truly within YOU.” Something to think about during your Prayer Time this week!
If you have questions or comments regarding the above, please send them, in writing, to the parish office. We will respond as quickly as possible.
Sunday Commentary
Commentary on the Readings for Sunday – December 13, 2009
The Third Sunday in Advent
There is a popular old secular Christmas song that begins with, “Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, all along the way.” Of course, this is referring to the decorations being displayed all over and preparations for the ‘big day.’ The Readings for the Third Sunday in Advent are something like that. They are telling us to “rejoice” because “the Holy One of Israel is among you.” For us today, if we have been preparing, as the readings for the previous Sunday’s have asked us to do, then we can and should rejoice because the Christ Child of Bethlehem is near.
The First Reading is taken from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah (3:14 – 18a). Although Zephaniah’s prophesy came at a time of religious degradation and apostasy among the Jewish people of his time, the Prophet is trying to get the few faithful to be encouraged by reminding them that God has not forgotten them and, indeed, He is in their midst as a mighty savior. For those who are prepared, God will rejoice over them with gladness and renew in them His love.
The Responsorial Song is from the Prophet Isaiah (12:2 – 6). This passage comes right after the Prophet’s prophesy of the coming of the Messiah and it exhorts the Jews to rejoice and be thankful because of the many blessings given to the people from God. It also stirs up great anticipation at the coming of the Savior and ends with the exclamation about God’s constant watch over His people by saying, “Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
The Second Reading is taken from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Philippians (4:4 – 7). This portion of the Letter comes toward the end where Paul is exhorting the Philippians to rejoice because of their love and kindness to him and to each other. His message is one of assurance that if they are prepared for the coming of the Lord, then they should have no anxiety, but if they still have needs, to bring them to God in prayer and they shall have peace that surpasses all understanding.
The Gospel Reading is taken from the Gospel of Luke (3:10 – 18) and it tells of John the Baptist’s teaching by sharing earthly possessions with those less fortunate. The people were drawn to the Baptist because they were in need of direction they could understand and identify with. They were also drawn to him because they thought he might be the Messiah. However, John in his humility, acknowledges that he was not the Christ – that there was One greater who will come and he goes on to describe this Great One in terms they understood.
Today, we have too much information which we call ‘information over-load.’ We have tendency to gloss over words that we have heard often. We don’t take the time to let what we hear with our ears settle into our heart. How unfortunate! We are now more than half way through Advent. Most of our shopping is done; greeting cards have been sent and received, the dinner menu has been established, but where is your heart? So, the above readings challenge us to take some time for prayer during this busy season. Find a quiet place and a time when you won’t be disturbed and sit there and ask the good Lord to come into you heart. When done seriously, with meaning and conviction, you will soon realize that “the Holy One of Israel is truly within YOU.” Something to think about during your Prayer Time this week!
If you have questions or comments regarding the above, please send them, in writing, to the parish office. We will respond as quickly as possible.
– MFB