Fr. Piero Lazzarini sx
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The third Sunday of Advent is simply extraordinary: every part, every text of it is overfull with invitations to rejoice and exult because "the Lord is near" (entrance antiphon). Just take a look at each text: you will get a real feel of the joy of salvation.
* Entrance antiphon: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice"
* Opening prayer: "The earth rejoices in hope of the Saviour's coming"
* Zephaniah (First Reading): "Shout for joy, daughter of Sion; rejoice, exult with all your heart"
* Respons. psalm: "Sing and shout for joy"
*Philippians (Second Reading): "I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord"
* Luke (Gospel): "A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people..."
What is the feeling of expectancy that was growing among the people? An anticipation of the joy that is associated with the desired coming event or person. People were asking John: "What must we do? Somehow they felt that they had an obligation to contribute or participate in bringing about the expected, joyful event. But not just "people", ordinary people; even tax-collectors, soldiers (Romans?)... all kinds.
John indicated to all a concrete, factual way of making the preparation according to their condition of life, their role in society:
Tax-collectors: "Do not exploit, do not extort..."
Soldiers: "Do not abuse your power, no violence, respect..."
What would he have said to teachers, traders, administrators, police men or women, judges, politicians, ordinary workers...? To each one of us? First of all, "say NO" to the sins/crimes to which you are more exposed because of your role or job.
But to all he indicated a clear, concrete, apparent way by which to mend their lives: Relieve the suffering of your neighbour, do works of mercy (these are the signs of the Kingdom of God!), attend to the needs of your fellow human beings; stop any kind of abuse, injustice, imposition, oppression...
John indicated the practice of the love of neighbour as the first concrete step to make a preparation for the coming of the Saviour, the Anointed.
When Jesus came, he did teach and explain in detail the law of love:
- The parable of the Samaritan: "Go and do the same..."
- "Whatsoever you do..... you do it to me"
- "Love one another.... just as I have loved you"
- "Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate"
This is the heart of the Gospel, it is the law of heaven (the life of the Trinity!) brought down to earth. It is inscribed in our being, mingled with our blood (although obscured by original sin) because we have been created in the likeness of God himself.
This is the teaching or message the liturgy seems to put across today through the preaching of John the Baptist: to prepare for Christmas, Jesus' historical coming, with A LOVE that is REAL and SINCERE, a love consisting of good works (mercy and justice: here is a clear connection with the HOLY YEAR of MERCY).
We do not have to go far or look far away to discover people who need mercy, help, understanding...
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The third Sunday of Advent is simply extraordinary: every part, every text of it is overfull with invitations to rejoice and exult because "the Lord is near" (entrance antiphon). Just take a look at each text: you will get a real feel of the joy of salvation.
* Entrance antiphon: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice"
* Opening prayer: "The earth rejoices in hope of the Saviour's coming"
* Zephaniah (First Reading): "Shout for joy, daughter of Sion; rejoice, exult with all your heart"
* Respons. psalm: "Sing and shout for joy"
*Philippians (Second Reading): "I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord"
* Luke (Gospel): "A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people..."
What is the feeling of expectancy that was growing among the people? An anticipation of the joy that is associated with the desired coming event or person. People were asking John: "What must we do? Somehow they felt that they had an obligation to contribute or participate in bringing about the expected, joyful event. But not just "people", ordinary people; even tax-collectors, soldiers (Romans?)... all kinds.
John indicated to all a concrete, factual way of making the preparation according to their condition of life, their role in society:
Tax-collectors: "Do not exploit, do not extort..."
Soldiers: "Do not abuse your power, no violence, respect..."
What would he have said to teachers, traders, administrators, police men or women, judges, politicians, ordinary workers...? To each one of us? First of all, "say NO" to the sins/crimes to which you are more exposed because of your role or job.
But to all he indicated a clear, concrete, apparent way by which to mend their lives: Relieve the suffering of your neighbour, do works of mercy (these are the signs of the Kingdom of God!), attend to the needs of your fellow human beings; stop any kind of abuse, injustice, imposition, oppression...
John indicated the practice of the love of neighbour as the first concrete step to make a preparation for the coming of the Saviour, the Anointed.
When Jesus came, he did teach and explain in detail the law of love:
- The parable of the Samaritan: "Go and do the same..."
- "Whatsoever you do..... you do it to me"
- "Love one another.... just as I have loved you"
- "Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate"
This is the heart of the Gospel, it is the law of heaven (the life of the Trinity!) brought down to earth. It is inscribed in our being, mingled with our blood (although obscured by original sin) because we have been created in the likeness of God himself.
This is the teaching or message the liturgy seems to put across today through the preaching of John the Baptist: to prepare for Christmas, Jesus' historical coming, with A LOVE that is REAL and SINCERE, a love consisting of good works (mercy and justice: here is a clear connection with the HOLY YEAR of MERCY).
We do not have to go far or look far away to discover people who need mercy, help, understanding...