3rd Sunday of Advent
The gospel brings us to the banks of the Jordan River, where John is baptizing. As John preached, “the people were filled with expectation.” Those who listened to his message became fully engaged, feeling an urgency to prepare themselves for the imminent arrival of the Christ. The people asked John what they should do. He called them to open their hearts to be compassionate. “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” When the tax collectors asked him what they should do, he called them to honesty and justice. “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
John told the crowd that the Messiah they hoped for was the Son of Man who would cleanse and purify the world. He would inaugurate the reign of God.
The scriptures throughout the weeks of Advent are meant to re-ignite our hope. We believe that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ, the savior of us all. So, what are we hoping for?
Jesus’ central teaching focused on the kingdom of God. He taught that “the kingdom of God is within you.” He said that kingdom was like a tiny seed planted within each of us. During the weeks of Advent, we focus our hope on that seed planted within us. We contemplate it. We hope that the kingdom of God may manifest itself soon. We hope the seed in each of us will grow into a tree so large that “the birds of the air can nest in its branches.” We hope that soon, very soon, the prayer Jesus taught us will become a reality. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, awaken the kingdom that sleeps in my heart. Shine your light upon it. Nurture it. Support it. May it blossom into hope.
