December 11, 2011 Scripture Reflection

Third Sunday of Advent


December 11, 2011

Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28

How comfortable are you in your skin? How easily can you define the goals of your life, the motives for your actions, the pyramid of your loves? If asked, what virtue would you claim as the guiding inspiration for your life? How quickly and accurately could you outline your strengths and weaknesses?

Advent, a time of preparation; John the Baptist, the one who prepared the way for Christ, yet John was not the first preparer. Isaiah, centuries before John was even conceived, identified himself as one sent "to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, and release to prisoners…" Isaiah was sent. How beautifully Isaiah proclaims and owns that "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me…" How blessed each of us would be if we could repeat those words as a mantra daily; for truly, the Spirit of the Lord is upon us and when we realize this, we too will "rejoice heartily in the Lord…" The imagery used by Isaiah portrays peace and joy; what is more beautiful than the image of the bride and groom to convey a deep joyous relationship?

How fitting it is that on this third Sunday of Advent, Mary's proclamation of God's greatness should be the refrain. Living in God's presence, living with God within fills Mary's soul with joy, yet are we not made in God's image, are we not temples of God? Why are we not rejoicing? Mary proclaims that "the Almighty has done great things for me…" God has not withdrawn nor retired! Today, God still does great things for each of us. None of us rose early today to pull up the Sun.

In the second reading, St. Paul calls us to "Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing…" This certainly doesn't mean we are called to be Pollyannas. We will all suffer pain, loss, disappointment, but calling upon the Spirit within us, we will be able to see the larger picture, to put things into perspective, to know that even in our suffering, we are not alone, but we are sustained, guided, and guarded by a God of infinite love and understanding. God never abandons us even when we turn away and choose our own way.

Then we meet John in the Gospel. John also "was sent from God" and like Isaiah, John was sent to prepare. When he was asked, "Who are You?" John knows the answer. No hesitation, no stammering, no beating around the bush - John tells who he is NOT. How often do we "play God" - trying to fix, to arrange, to change, to control… John's first answer sets the perimeters… "I am not the Christ." Do not make me more than I am; here's what I can do; here's what I cannot do; here's what you need to do.

Dear Lord, teach us to rejoice always in your loving presence grateful for who we are yet willing to do all we are called to do.

Miriam Catherine Nevins, OP