Third Sunday of Advent

December 13, 2020

Third Sunday of Advent

December 13, 2020

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, Media, PA

 

Book of the Prophet Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11

Psalm (Luke) 1:46-50, 53-54

First Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians 5:16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

 

            The Gospel narrative is again about John being the “witness” and not the “Christ.”  There were groups in the early years after Jesus’ death, who believed that John was the “anointed.”  We hear in today’s reading explicit statements that Jesus and not John, is the One sent.  Our faith allows us to have a great feeling of joy not merely that Jesus and not John, is the Messiah, but rather that Jesus was actually sent to us and continues being missioned to be our Savior.

            Advent is really a great advertising season.  New toys for the children, clothes, appliances, electric gizmos and such are displayed in stores, mailings, on TV and, of course, on the internet.  “Coming soon!”  Advent is also an advertisement of four weeks which invite all of us to see if we really need, or know that we need, the One sent to us.

            Commercials advertisements show us that we have a need for this or that and that we just can’t live with the product.  Advertisers have to make us feel the need and then present us with the salvation of that need.  We may not know we need a new mouse trap until the TV person convinces us that our entire home is full of the little critters.

            Friends, Advent is the time not only for His coming, but our coming to our own sense of need.  As Saint Paul tells the Thessalonians, “The one who calls you is faithful.”  We are not forced to see fictitious needs, but are invited to take the time for accepting prayerfully, how we depend on God, but don’t like it all the time.  John knew who he was and who he was not.  When we grow comfortable with the illusion of our independence, we confuse ourselves about whom we are and who we are not.

            What the basic “advertisement” of today’s liturgy is that we are glad that the Holy Lord God, “Has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice.”  As we move in-and-out of the awareness of who we are and who are not, our faithful God continues sending us a “Messenger” of fidelity and messages in our lives which, like the ads on TV, are not necessarily wanted or needed, but do tell us the truth of our dependence.

            Today we rejoice that the “Advertiser” of our salvation never tires of presenting His saving product, His grace and His love.  Today, we are asked to buy it and live it ALWAYS!

Question of the Day:  How will you hear more clearly, read more deeply and receive more openly what to expect during the season of Advent?

Prayer:   “Say to the anxious, be strong and fear not, our God will come to save us.”  (Is. 35:4)

Prosit