DAILY- HOMILY

December 17, 2017 - 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

Gaudete Sunday, O Sapientia 

Rose / Violet

[Misa de Gallo, White, with Gloria]

Is 61: 1-2a, 10-11 / 1 Thess 5: 16-24 / Jn 1: 6-8, 19-28

1ST READING:    Is 61: 1- 2a, 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 captives, freedom to those languishing in prison; to announce the year of Yahweh's favor and the day of vengeance of our God...

     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 righteousness, like a bridegroom wearing a garland, like a bride adorned with jewels. For as the earth brings forth 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 the nations.

From the GOSPEL READING:        Jn 1: 6- 8, 19- 27

     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, "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 worthy to untie the strap of his sandal."

REFLECTION

     The Third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday: Gaudete means "Rejoice." This reminds us that in the midst of our waiting and anticipation for the coming of the Lord we are to be joyful.

     And so we reflect on what it is to be joyful: Where is joy found? Our instinct tells us that true joy is everlasting and eternal. However, our personal experiences suggest otherwise: joy can be fleeting. For instance, we may wish to have and work hard to have a new car or a better home: there is excitement when the car is new, when the house is new. However, after some time, our liking wavers and we wish for a better and newer car and house.

     So we ask ourselves, "Where do we find our joy? Where do we find lasting joy?" As we read the Gospel reading about the coming and ministry of John the Baptist we may wonder what is so joyful about this man from the wilderness, preaching repentance for sins and conversion. What is so joyful about repentance and conversion?

     We may have simply equated joy with happiness or contentment; true joy should be more than that.

     Where is true joy to be found? John came out of the wilderness "to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light so that all might believe through him." John came as "the voice crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord." John came to introduce us to the Light which will bring us true joy.

     Let us pray that like John we may be faithful in witnessing and testifying for Christ. May we grow more and more in this commitment so that we may find true and lasting joy in Christ.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     FELIXON DEAN A. SAW 

     LUZMINIA M. ALANES

     PATRICK JEROME B. YAO

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     ERNIE & PUNY DY

IN MEMORIAM (†) 

     CESAR L. LOPEZ MIGUEL & MIGUEL L. QUIROS

     WELLINGTON C. CHAN

OTHER INTENTIONS:

In loving memory of Teresita Santos on her first death anniversary. May she rest in peace.

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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