Gospel – John 1: 6-8, 19-28
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’
He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,as the prophet Isaiah said.
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intentions is for
People of the Parish Holy Cross 9.30am
Maurice Stanislaus, RIP Our Lady’s 11.00am
Reflection:
The Church celebrates Gaudete Sunday today, Rejoicing Sunday, or the Sunday of Joy.
One of the candles surrounding the Christ Candle in the Advent wreath is rose coloured, for Gaudete, the beginning of the third week in Advent.
The day takes its common name from the Latin word Gaudete (“Rejoice”), the first word of the introit of this day’s Mass:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.” The readings of today are all filled with Joy and Hope in the coming Lord.
The prophet Isaiah declared that he will greatly rejoice in the Lord and his whole being shall exult in His God.
We hear today the first verses of St. John’s gospel, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.” (John 1:6-8) While these verses set the stage for the entrance of John the Baptist, they also clearly state what is to be our own Christian mission. Indeed, God created us and delivered us into this wanting, weary, dark and cold world to be divine light and warmth embodied in the human flesh of multi-arrayed personalities.
We are to be as the many-colored flashes thrown off by a prism. Surely, while we are not the Original Light, we sparkle in its brilliance.
As we gather in the dark of Advent to await the birth of Jesus, the Savior, the Light of the World, many of us find ourselves caught up in the pre- Christmas whirl of buying and wrapping gifts, baking a frenzy of holiday goodies and stressing over family get-togethers. (Although with a difference this year!) Let one woman’s testimony to the Light serve to remind us what is most important:
The mission of a good Christian is to be a prophet and announce the Gospel with the same valour, resolution, and integrity that John the Baptist had. We need many more Christians like him: fearless in their faith and humble in their ministry, who know how to stand up for what is right while standing in the shadows and allowing God to be the one who shines forth.
- How is your level of Rejoicing?
- Are you as fearless as John the Baptist was or are you timid about your faith?
- How do you announce the Gospel of Jesus to those you encounter on life’s journey?
