Third Sunday of Advent: Pointing Our Light to Jesus

12-17-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

In the eighties (80s), every time we entered a movie house, there was usually an usher/usherette with a flashlight who led us into the dark movie house and pointed us to our seats. Notice that the usher/usherette does not beam the light to his/her face but to the steps as we go up the balcony and eventually toward our seats. In the same way, John the Baptist gave us an example of how we are to testify by focusing the light on Jesus, who is the LIGHT.

John the Baptist, in the Gospel, proclaimed the truth and testified to the LIGHT. The Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John if he was the Christ. John did not pretend to be somebody and admitted with much humility of not being Elijah or any other prophet, but simply: The voice crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord. He was not the Messiah and was clear about his role and mission.

In the second scene, the Jews (authorities who instigate opposition to Jesus) sent some Pharisees to ask John why he is baptizing if he is not the Messiah. John’s answer alludes to one of the elements presumed in baptism(repentance). In the purification aspect by the spirit, John points to the one who is unknown to them but is already there, Jesus (at this time, has not started His ministry). John did not reveal to the Pharisees the kind of baptism Jesus would bring. Later, with his disciple, he points to Jesus as the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit (Jn. 1:39). Today is Gaudete Sunday, and we light the third candle of the Advent wreath to remind us about Christian JOY. In our baptism, the Holy Spirit filled our hearts and souls with His presence, so we rejoice always. Isaiah rejoices heartily in the Lord because God is his joy, and the spirit is upon him. (Is. 6:10). In the second reading, St. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims, Rejoice always! In the Responsorial Psalm, Mary sings: My soul rejoices in my God. All of the readings echo the theme of rejoicing!

Let us ask ourselves: What have we done to give joy, hope, and encouragement to other people despite the difficulties and challenges that we are going through? Think about this: Givers of joy become recipients of JOY. If we are not joyful, maybe it is because we are not giving enough JOY to others. Let us rejoice and be glad, remembering that we have a God who knows everything: our difficulties, trials, and all we are going through. Gaudete Sunday reminds us of the mark of a Christian. Filled with expectant JOY, we await the birth of our savior. And already, He is with us, and He loves us.

Do we know the secret of Joy? A prayerful person, who is grateful, and who is obedient to the Will of God is a JOYFUL person!

Lord, help us to live in your light REJOICING, let our light point to YOU, and be the LIGHT of our LIFE.