Third Sunday of Advent - Rejoice_121320

Deacon Tom Writes,

Rejoice! 

Third Sunday of Advent, Year B 

Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee quoting the words of the Prophet Isaiah that we hear today on this Third Sunday of Advent. They are worth reading again:

 “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God…” (IS 61:1- 2a)

This is the “Good News” that has been celebrated generation after generation since this prophesy was fulfilled by Christ 2000 years ago. Jesus is the one who brings us the good news that our captivity has come to and end; he teaches His disciples the good news that lifts our broken spirits pummeled by sickness, sin, and death. Jesus is the one who frees us from everything that imprisons us or has robbed us of our human dignity. Jesus restores our genuine freedom. Jesus comes to our rescue announcing that God’s favor is upon us. On our part, we wait in hope; we wait patiently for Emmanuel to come into our lives. So we wait… and watch.

Advent is a wonderful time of year. It is a season of hope and anticipation. It is even more so this year as we face so many challenges and difficulties of epic proportions as Covid-19 has imposed upon us an isolation beyond anything most of us have experienced previously . Our world has grown cold. It is a world very much in need of the “fire of God’s love”.

As we light the rose candle this Gaudete Sunday (R-E-J-O-I-C-E), this Third Sunday of Advent, we rejoice in God’s nearness to us. We rejoice because the Light of Christ approaches and the days of darkness are dispelled in our sight. We rejoice because Christ comes to fill us with the fire of His love. We rejoice because our time of deliverance is at hand. We rejoice because Our Savior comes to do what the world cannot do – give us the joy and happiness that can only come from Him; joy and happiness to be shared with one another; joy and happiness that will last forever.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Image Credit: Angel Trumpets Gaudete Sunday / odcsuffolk.com

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Deacon Tom Writes,

“The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”

Third Sunday of Advent, Year B

Christmas is only a week away! Don’t panic… remember this is “… the most wonderful time of the year”. For Christians throughout the world the wonder of this season is because Our Savior has come down from heaven to dwell among us. He is the reason for the season as the saying goes. He is the source of all our joy. Not only that, but the joy He gives us cannot be contained but overflows so that this Holy season is busy with our doing kind things, thoughtful things for others, for our loved ones, and for our friends. Joy at the birth of our Savior spills over and moves us to be thoughtful even to strangers, indeed anyone in need of our love, kindness, and generosity.

In the kindness we show others at Christmas, we pass along what has been given to us… God’s gentle and unconditional love… freely given, no strings attached. We have received an incomprehensible gift, and for us to reap its benefits, it must be passed on. Even though this time of year is so busy with the shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping, and writing Christmas cards, we should make an effort not to get overwhelmed. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could be joyful as we move from task to task, reflecting on what we have received from On High and spread that joy on to others. This is the sense of Joy the Christ Child desires for us…. that we should be cheerful givers, like the Christ we come to know who gave Himself entirely without counting the cost. This precious thought will keep  us from loosing the meaning of the season.

Imagine if we took this joyful spirit with us into the shopping malls and department store, our offices, schools, everywhere we go! Suppose we also took with us a spirit of justice and peace. Could we change the marketplace, the workplace, and our homes for the better? Do you think that our words, spoken tenderly to the people we meet might bring them some comfort, some healing, some peace? Do you think that if we engaged people with a gentle, approachable smile as we said, “Merry Christmas” and “Have a Happy New Year” that they might catch the spirit of joy that makes this “the most wonderful time of the year”. I hope this will be the case so that everyone will know the reason why this is  “the most wonderful time of the year”.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom