4th Sunday of Advent (C)

First reading: Micah 5:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80
Second reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel reading: Luke 1:39-45

"Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your
womb."

The gospel for the 4th Sunday of Advent narrates what we know as
the second joyful mystery of the rosary: the Visitation. This
Christian mystery tells the greatness of God's work - how Mary
with the Son of God in her womb, went in haste to Elizabeth, her
cousin, previously childless, but now blessed with a child in
her womb. Mary, knowing that her cousin Elizabeth would need help
in childbirth (because of Elizabeth's age) went in haste to
Elizabeth, despite her being pregnant with Christ, the Messiah.
Upon visiting Elizabeth, Mary was commended well by her cousin:
"Blessed are you who trusted that God's word would be fulfilled."

Many bible commentators would interpret this passage in Luke as
filled with the themes of service, availability, and charity. It
would be remarkable to know that a young Jewish woman would set
our by herself on a journey to a hill country - braving the
dangers of such a journey alone and the risks to her pregnancy,
because of her great spirit of availability, service and charity.
And the great favor and blessing Mary received from God, she now
brings to others: to Elizabeth and her household.

For many of us Catholics who have a devotion to the Mother of God,
we are also blessed and gifted with something unique and singular
in the Christian faith. Contrary to other Christians' perception
of Mary, we know that devotion to her leads us to a greater
devotion to Christ. If we study all the mysteries of the rosary,
from joyful to glorious, we will rediscover why Mary has a
special role in christ's work of redemption. And now that we are
nearing the close of the Advent season, the next important person
in God's salvific plan is a young virgin from Nazareth - whose
immaculate flesh is favored to conceive God's Son in her womb.
Maybe this Christian truth can help us to reflect on the many
ways we have been negligent in keeping our self pure before
receiving Christ in the Eucharist. Also, we can examine if like
Mary, we have shared the blessings of God with others. We can
examine our actions and see if we had made ourselves of more
service to others this Advent season.

3rd Sunday of Advent (C)

First reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12
Second reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel reading: Luke 3:10-18

"He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire."

The 3rd Sunday of Advent, traditionally called Gaudete Sunday,
presents a gospel passage from Luke. Luke presents John the
Baptist teaching three groups of people to repent in word, heart
and action: people who have extra coats and food to give to those
who have none; for tax collectors to exact nothing over and above
the fixed amount; and for soldiers not to bully anyone, denounce
no one falsely and to be content with their pay. As John taught
these groups of people, he reminded them also that he was not
the Messiah. He only baptizes with water, but the Messiah (who is
mightier than him and whom he is not fit to even loosen a strap
of His sandal) will come to baptize them in the Holy Spirit and
in fire.

Robert Karris, in his "Invitation to Luke", interprets this
passage by saying that those who are called for the Lord's
service, must go beyond lip service and actually produce the
fruits of repentance. He also mentions that this passage (with
its reference to three groups of people) are particular only to
Luke, and not to be found in the other gospels. And the specific
message which Luke gives through this passage is that repentance
from sin in preparation for the Lord's coming, should also show
itself in deeds and acts of justice and care for our brothers
and sisters in need.

In this time of Advent, we can prepare for the Lord's coming by
not only repenting inwardly in our heart and soul for all our
sins but also by acting in justice and care for those around us.
And this begins within the family, our social network of work,
business and profession, and the people in our neighborhood whom
we interact regularly as we fulfill all the responsibilities and
duties of our Christian vocation and state of life. Maybe this is
a good time to examine our conscience and see if our sorrow for
sin, our confessions and penance, bear fruits of justice, care,
and charity for others. What acts of justice, care and charity
can I still do this Advent season as an expression of sorrow
and repentance for my sins?

2nd Sunday of Advent (C)

First reading: Baruch 5:1-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126
Second reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Gospel reading: Luke 3:1-6

"Make ready the way of the Lord."

For the Sunday Mass on December 6, the gospel passage is taken
from Luke. The passage introduces the person of St. John the
Baptist - the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. John's mission is
to proclaim a baptism of repentance so that the people will
receive forgiveness from their sins. His preaching and ministry
as the herald of Christ Jesus, fulfills what is written in the
book of the prophet Isaiah: "A herald's voice in the desert,
crying, 'Make ready the way of the Lord'".

Robert J. Karris, in his book "Invitation to Luke", analyzes this
gospel passage from the wider context which includes the arrest
and imprisonment of John by Herod the tetrarch. Karris states in
his book that John gives knowledge to the people that the
salvation of Jesus is meant for all (Luke 3:6), and not only for
the Jews (Luke 3:8). John's mission was to prepare a way for the
Lord's proclamation of the Kingdom of God. John points to Jesus
as the Truth, the Way and the Life. His fidelity to this mission
eventually led him to a martyr's death.

There are many people in our life who prepared us to follow Jesus
and the gospel: our parents, teachers, friends, family, priests,
confessors, and many who have had authority over us. They point
to us a way that would lead us to a more faithful following of
Jesus. As we have listened and saw what applies to our life, we
grew and continue to grow with a wisdom that helps us to serve
God, Church, society and family with generosity. We continually
receive this guidance as we are strengthened through the devotion
we give to the celebration of Word and Sacrament. Because of all
these blessings, graces and gifts, we are entrusted to do the
same for others. Like John, we too have the responsibility to
prepare a way for the Lord, so that others may be shepherded to
Christ. So as we enter more into the Christian mysteries in this
season of Advent, let us take the opportunity to reflect where
we need to prepare more for the Lord's coming: in my own personal
life; in the lives of others in my immediate circle of family,
friends, and co-workers; or in both?