SUNDAY: December 16, 2007
3rd Sunday of Advent
1st reading: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
2nd reading: James 5: 7-10,
Gospel reading: Matthew 11: 2-11
_____________________________________________________________________________
Application:
The Church brings John the Baptist, the man who prepared the people for Christ's public mission, before
our minds today, as an example that we should follow, even if only from afar. John prepared himself for
the task of welcoming and introducing Christ to others, by a life of self-mortification and penance. He told
the people that the first essential for meeting Christ, and profiting by his coming, was that they should turn
away from sin and give up any evil ways, which hitherto they had followed. He himself practiced what he
preached and his preaching, therefore, bore fruit among many of his hearers. Four of the twelve Apostles
became followers of Christ because of the Baptist's example and preaching.
John is calling on us too today, to prepare ourselves for Christ's coming this Christmas, by turning away
from sin, and by the mortification of ourselves in many ways. We are not expected to wear the rough
camel-hair dress he wore, and eat nothing but locusts and wild honey. But each one of us can restrain the
excessive luxuries of the palate, in which we often indulge, and use the money, thus saved, to help those
who are short of the necessities of life, in far too many parts of today's world. Many of us, too, could look
through our wardrobes and find garments we can well do without. These could help to keep the wintry
blasts from our poor, shivering fellowman or women this Christmas.
In repenting of our sins, the first necessary step if we want to welcome Christ into a pure heart and into
our Christian homes, let our conversion and resolutions be firm, as was the resolute stand of John the
Baptist. He was not a reed that was shaken by every wind, and we too must stand firm against the temptations
of the world, the flesh and the devil, if we are to remain worthy of the name of Christian. John the
Baptist suffered martyrdom for his faith and convictions. Few, if any, of us will be called on to lay down our
lives for our faith, but we are all called on to live for it, and with it, every day of our lives.
This may demand sacrifice nowadays, when our permissive society derides and looks down on those still
trying to live according to the old-fashioned ten commandments. But we must not only be ready to accept
this derision; we must do all in our power, by word, prayer and example, to get our erring neighbor to see
that virtue does pay in the end.
We have much in this story of John the Baptist which should help us to welcome Christ properly this
Christmas. Think of the Baptist today, and listen to the message he has for you. If you do your best to put
it into practice, the good, merciful Lord himself will do the rest for you. He came to save sinners. He came
to save you. If you cooperate and do your part, you will hear, on your judgment day, the joyful words of
Christ: "You are more than a prophet, you are a citizen of heaven --- a saint."
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What must I do to welcome Jesus into my heart?
Firstly, Christ, I am very sorry for all the sins i've committed thus far!!! Temptations are really really hard to resist!!! and u actually did it for 40 days at the desert!!! No, actually, all ur life Jesus! I know that in order to welcome u into my heart, i must become more like you: humble, honest, wise and obedient. I will put down everything! all my inhibitions, my sins and gladly accept you!! Love your enemies as you'ld say: love others as i've loved you. but i m glad too say i've no enemies! so, the next best thing is to love those who i dont really know me...hahaha.... pls Lord, give me the courage to interact more with other ppl, like the gift i had last time....i've lost that gift once i went to a JC.... i really need that gift, father, to feel ppl and just interact with them....i've become INVISIBLE to ppl's eyes....i know....BUT n0w, i'll change that. with ur grace and might, i'll be the old me i was again! i LOVE you JESUS!
--dun wanna be a reed that sways in the Wind--
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Is my conversion resolution firm or like reed shaken by the wind?
Do others know I am a Christian by the simple testimony of my love?
What would Jesus see to praise about me right now?
3rd Sunday of Advent
1st reading: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
2nd reading: James 5: 7-10,
Gospel reading: Matthew 11: 2-11
_____________________________________________________________________________
Application:
The Church brings John the Baptist, the man who prepared the people for Christ's public mission, before
our minds today, as an example that we should follow, even if only from afar. John prepared himself for
the task of welcoming and introducing Christ to others, by a life of self-mortification and penance. He told
the people that the first essential for meeting Christ, and profiting by his coming, was that they should turn
away from sin and give up any evil ways, which hitherto they had followed. He himself practiced what he
preached and his preaching, therefore, bore fruit among many of his hearers. Four of the twelve Apostles
became followers of Christ because of the Baptist's example and preaching.
John is calling on us too today, to prepare ourselves for Christ's coming this Christmas, by turning away
from sin, and by the mortification of ourselves in many ways. We are not expected to wear the rough
camel-hair dress he wore, and eat nothing but locusts and wild honey. But each one of us can restrain the
excessive luxuries of the palate, in which we often indulge, and use the money, thus saved, to help those
who are short of the necessities of life, in far too many parts of today's world. Many of us, too, could look
through our wardrobes and find garments we can well do without. These could help to keep the wintry
blasts from our poor, shivering fellowman or women this Christmas.
In repenting of our sins, the first necessary step if we want to welcome Christ into a pure heart and into
our Christian homes, let our conversion and resolutions be firm, as was the resolute stand of John the
Baptist. He was not a reed that was shaken by every wind, and we too must stand firm against the temptations
of the world, the flesh and the devil, if we are to remain worthy of the name of Christian. John the
Baptist suffered martyrdom for his faith and convictions. Few, if any, of us will be called on to lay down our
lives for our faith, but we are all called on to live for it, and with it, every day of our lives.
This may demand sacrifice nowadays, when our permissive society derides and looks down on those still
trying to live according to the old-fashioned ten commandments. But we must not only be ready to accept
this derision; we must do all in our power, by word, prayer and example, to get our erring neighbor to see
that virtue does pay in the end.
We have much in this story of John the Baptist which should help us to welcome Christ properly this
Christmas. Think of the Baptist today, and listen to the message he has for you. If you do your best to put
it into practice, the good, merciful Lord himself will do the rest for you. He came to save sinners. He came
to save you. If you cooperate and do your part, you will hear, on your judgment day, the joyful words of
Christ: "You are more than a prophet, you are a citizen of heaven --- a saint."
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What must I do to welcome Jesus into my heart?
Firstly, Christ, I am very sorry for all the sins i've committed thus far!!! Temptations are really really hard to resist!!! and u actually did it for 40 days at the desert!!! No, actually, all ur life Jesus! I know that in order to welcome u into my heart, i must become more like you: humble, honest, wise and obedient. I will put down everything! all my inhibitions, my sins and gladly accept you!! Love your enemies as you'ld say: love others as i've loved you. but i m glad too say i've no enemies! so, the next best thing is to love those who i dont really know me...hahaha.... pls Lord, give me the courage to interact more with other ppl, like the gift i had last time....i've lost that gift once i went to a JC.... i really need that gift, father, to feel ppl and just interact with them....i've become INVISIBLE to ppl's eyes....i know....BUT n0w, i'll change that. with ur grace and might, i'll be the old me i was again! i LOVE you JESUS!
--dun wanna be a reed that sways in the Wind--
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Is my conversion resolution firm or like reed shaken by the wind?
Do others know I am a Christian by the simple testimony of my love?
What would Jesus see to praise about me right now?
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