A Reflection on the Readings of the Third Sunday of Advent ~ by Phyllis Booth

Is 35:1-6a,10

Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

Jas 5:7-10

Mt 11:2-11


The first reading for this Sunday speaks of the desert, the parched land and the steppe coming alive with all kinds of flowers. This miracle takes place so that God's people can return from exile and reap the benefits of his promise. They return singing joyfully and accept God's gift of a fertile land. The Glory of God is shown as he quietly forgives them, strengthens the weak and feeble, takes the fear from the hearts of those who are frightened and says, fear not. If they believe that God alone has done this for them, then the blind see, the deaf hear and the lame walk; sorrow and mourning will be no more.

Today we are anxiously preparing to celebrate the birth of God's Son and hoping we are prepared if he comes. God is still giving us signs in nature, in people and in his church that the promise is alive. He is still healing, blessing, forgiving and loving us. We must believe God's words.

In the second reading the Apostle James tells those waiting for the return of the Messiah to have patience. He gives an example of how the farmer patiently waits for the rain to water his crops. The farmer must be patient to produce good crops. We are asked to be patient in whatever state of life we find ourselves. We must not judge those who may be responsible for our situation. If we judge others, at the judgment we'll be judged in the same manner. While we are patiently waiting, we must grow in our faith. Become strong in your faith without complaining about whatever is happening to us, our family or friends. We are to accept all that life throws at us and wait for the coming of the Lord to receive our heavenly reward.

Matthew's Gospel gives us a John the Baptist who is doubting whether this person who is performing miracles is really the Messiah. We want to believe John knows the Messiah and believes without a doubt the one he baptized is the Christ.

John's disciples go to Jesus and ask the question, "Are you the one to come or should we look for another?" Jesus gives a simple answer. Tell John what you hear and see, the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised and the lepers are cleansed. I'd like to believe that when John received that message he knew in his heart this was the Messiah. Jesus acknowledged John's greatness to the crowd.

The first reading and the gospel parallel Isaiah's prophetic writing; what was seen and heard by the twelve apostles and Jews of that day.

Today's Christians are witnesses to the miracle of technology. Opthamologists help save sight, bionics help the physically disabled walk, eat, drive, etc. and computers help to communicate around the world in seconds. Are these God's miracles or man's?

The Messiah came to give life and to give life abundantly. Life for some seems to be an abundance. Therefore, we must do what Jesus told John's disciples to look closely at what we see and hear. To notice what is going on around us. To see the signs and power of God's presence in our daily lives and make a difference. We need an abundance of faith. Faith that God has not abandoned us. That the violence and wars today will not destroy this world while Christians have trust in God's love for his children.