Good morning today is the third Sunday of Advent, and I am excited for the coming birth of our Savior Jesus!
Our first reading today shows the jubilation and rejoice for us to be glad! We should not be discouraged with ongoings of life as our Savior Jesus is coming. We began Advent three weeks ago and are anticipating the birth of Jesus in just 10 days! This is such an amazingly joyous time for us, but it can be heavy as well. This is an Old Testament book of Zephaniah and in preparing this reflection I took time to think how different it must have been then. Can you take a moment and reflect on the intensity of faith our counterparts must have needed then? They did not know the hour nor day and simply relied on faith that the Savior was coming. These thoughts impact my intensity for this week and how I want to share my faith loudly. How does this reading speak to you?
The responsorial psalm also shows us the faithful joy and exultation for Jesus the coming Savior. It is difficult to be unafraid and confident without knowing the details and time of Jesus’s birth. We are blessed growing with the knowledge of Jesus’s birth and teachings. Although not blind faith, I look to those who did not have the luxury of knowing the birth of Jesus as we do now for the framework of what faith can be. What does this psalm remind you of? Are you becoming more full with the Holy Spirit this season rejoicing for the coming birth of Jesus? Are you joyfully contagious?
To me this first reading and responsorial psalm remind me of being confident in God and His plan and to trust in His word. Our second reading reaffirms that need to remove anxiety or worry and to be joyous and thankful to God. Especially during this Advent, is there something specific you might be thankful for? How might you respond in grateful thanks to God?
Our gospel today speaking about sharing of half of everything we have is sometimes troubling for me to read. Today is much different from those times with many more demands or responsibilities that could not have been considered then. Yet to me the points that are truly relevant today are sharing material things (e.g. clothes & food) with those who have little or none, but more importantly sharing His love. We often have an opportunity at a local food pantry, but are there other ways we can share these necessities with those in need? Another part of this gospel reminds us to not collect more than prescribed, not to force others, and not falsely accuse others. Far from being tax collectors and Roman soldiers, even if these things do not apply to your life, are there ways you can share the Holy Spirit with others?
We are all filled with expectations of Christ in our hearts, though differently in this age. How do these readings and gospel speak to you this advent season? Are there ways you might be able to clear your heart of things that do not build faith? How can we release things we might be holding onto that might make our hearts more joyous and thankful for the coming Savior, Jesus.