DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 11, 2011
3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – B

Is 61:1-2, 10-11 / Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 / 1 Thes 5:16-24 / Jn
1:6-8, 19-28

ISAIAH 61:1-2, 10-11
The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed
me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up broken
hearts, to proclaim liberty to the captives, freedom to those
languishing in prison; to announce the year of Yahweh's favor and the
day of vengeance of our God; to give comfort to all who grieve. I
rejoice greatly in Yahweh, my soul exults for joy in my God, for he
has clothed me in the garments of his salvation, he has covered me
with the robe of his righteousness, like a bridegroom wearing a
garland, like a bride adorned with jewels. For as the ear th brings
for th its growth, and as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the
Lord Yahweh make justice and praise spring up in the sight of all
nations.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16–24
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every
moment. This is the will of God, your vocation as Christians. Do not
quench the Spirit, do not despise the prophets' warnings. Put
everything to the test and hold fast to what is good. Avoid evil,
wherever it may be. May the God of Peace make you holy and bring you
to perfection. May you be completely blameless, in spirit, soul and
body, till the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord; he who called you is
faithful and will do it.

JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28
A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness,
as a witness to introduce the Light so that all might believe through
him. He was not the Light but a witness to introduce the Light. This
was the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to
ask him, "Who are you?" John recognized the truth and did not deny it.
He said, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "Then who are
you? Elijah?" He answered, "I am not." They said, "Are you the
Prophet?" And he answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Tell us who
you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do
you see yourself?" And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, "I am
the voice crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the
Lord." Those who had been sent were Pharisees; so they put a further
question to John: "Then why are you baptizing if you are not the
Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?" John answered, "I baptize you
with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he
comes after me, I am not wor thy to untie the strap of his sandal."
This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was
baptizing.

REFLECTION
What have been our experiences that have brought about much joy most
recently? The theme of joy is underscored on the Third Sunday of
Advent which the Church calls Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means joy. By
the third Sunday of Advent, we might find waiting too long, tiring,
boring — even agonizing. An inclusion, then, of a joyful Sunday while
we wait gives us some consolation and encouragement so that we can
persevere. The consolation is that Jesus will truly come especially if
we open ourselves to His presence. And when Jesus comes, joy is surely
present.

And so, the readings are all full of the tone of joy.

In the First reading, the tone of joy surfaces in that the prophet is
entrusted to announce good news to the people. He proclaims a year of
the Lord's favor. In the year of favor, the Jubilee year, the land
reverts to the Creator, who distributes it equally and bountifully.
The land was to lie fallow. Property which had been seized, borrowed,
or rented, was to be returned to its rightful owners. Slaves were
freed and debts were either remit ted or suspended.

The second reading encourages us to pray incessantly and to cultivate
grateful hearts at all times. No matter what happens, God gives the
assurance that all shall be well. Joy is definitely the fruit of the
Spirit thereby suggesting the active presence of God in us.

And in the gospel, the joy emanates from the theme of light that Jesus
is associated with. John is clear about his role as not being the
light but rather the one to point us to the light. In a situation of
darkness, we always search for the light so that we may be guided.
There is no better time than today when people are confused by their
many concerns. We need the light of Jesus because this will give us
hope and joy. This Jesus whom we anticipate and wait for excitedly is
destined to bring good news as presented in the first reading from
Isaiah. After all, isn't joy the feeling when we are finally liberated
and vindicated?

As we prepare to celebrate the coming of God into our lives through
Jesus, we must remember that we have been called to bring Jesus into
other people's lives. Let us bring light to those in darkness so that
joy may be truly present this Christmas.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Eden Batuto
- Rita P. Cuerva
- Ely Lara
- Francis Santos
- Baby Diam Dy
- Chief SamRose Anyaugo
… for the personal intentions of
- Titong V
- Dr. Ugonna Anyaugo; Mr Ogechi Anyaugo; Barr Obinna Okoronkwo; Barr
(Mrs) Adaugo Barbara Okoronkwo; Ifeanyi Mathias Anyaugo; Chuba
Osinachi Anyaugo; Ezinne Cordelia C Anyaugo; Cordelia

… for the successful result of the BAR examinees of Ateneo Law School
Batch 2011
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Ma. Lourdes Lao Jucutan
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Joana Mari G. Villanueva
- Birthday: Mark Allan C. Camposagrado
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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