Sunday Reflections

The Church has returned to Ordinary Time this week after the celebration of the wonder of Christ’s birth, his revelation to the nations and the relationship with the Father that he opened his heart to at his baptism in the Jordan.

The readings during Ordinary Time focus on God’s people being sent forth into the world to proclaim the Good News that Christ has come among us. The Spirit that rested on Jesus at his baptism that called him forth to build his kingdom is the Spirit we have been given in baptism to further that mission that he left us.

Note:As you read today’s Scriptures’ texts of the Liturgy, please leave behind what you know about the Sacrament of Baptism for a moment.  The Sacrament removes all sin and sinfulness on our part as we become children of God (see the Prayer After Communion).  Obviously Christ does not need the Sacrament as we all do because He is perfect.  Christ’s Baptism is a powerful statement and proclamation on His part to every one of us that He wants to become intimately close to each of us and to all of us.  Please sense here how hungry Christ is for e

Some people are star gazers, those who know the celestial patterns.  Such were the Magi.  That star gazing led them to Bethlehem, and to the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger.  The star told them that here was born the King of the Jews.  This great feast allows us to also be star gazers, and to come to the Christ Child, bearing the gift of ourselves, not gold, frankincense and myrrh.  The Epiphany celebrates that the coming of the Lord Jesus is for all people, beginning with the adoration of Him by these three pagans.  This is a challeng

Especially at this time of year, I suspect that most of us have savored the fruits of a “family recipe,” whether an appetizer, main course, or dessert. Even if the ingredients are not a secret, we know that each and every one of them contributes to the food that we look forward to preparing and eating. St. Paul, in our second reading, provides us with the ingredients that make for a “family recipe” that produces good and generous relationships that we can also savor.

Especially at this time of year, I suspect that most of us have savored the fruits of a “family recipe,” whether an appetizer, main course, or dessert. Even if the ingredients are not a secret, we know that each and every one of them contributes to the food that we look forward to preparing and eating. St. Paul, in our second reading, provides us with the ingredients that make for a “family recipe” that produces good and generous relationships that we can also savor.

We are coming to the end of this beautiful and joyful season of Advent which stresses how much God wants to be with us in unceasing Love.  Advent is part of the Liturgical Year’s Christmas Cycle.

According to the new Ordo (page 13), the four weeks of Advent are divided into two stages:

All three readings on this third Sunday of Advent offer us comforting words.  In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah says, “Have courage, do not be afraid” In the second reading, the letter of James points out: “Be patient!  Do not lose heart!”  In the gospel, we have the lovely words of Jesus spoken to his cousin John, “Happy the person who does not lose faith in me.”  These words shared by prophets as Isaiah and Jesus and the apostle James were comforting words to those who heard them.

The charism of the Congregation of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the charism of HOPE. What an incredible gift to the Church and the world in a time when many can be so easily discouraged and led to despair of their fellow human beings.

This season of grace, Advent, calls us to “stay awake”.  This is not like the difficulty to stay awake when we are over tired, and ‘nod off’, perhaps in front of the television or during a meeting or class.  Jesus calls us to “stay awake” to His presence, and the work of grace in, through, and around us.  Our ‘sleep’ dulls our awareness of these realities, and we miss out on opportunities to share more deeply in the life of Christ, and to share that life with others.  Advent is a time to prepare ourselves spiritually for the celebration of the birth of the Saviour. 

This Sunday is also known as the last Sunday of our present liturgical year or the 34^th Sunday of Year C.