3rd Sunday in Advent
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 35:1-6,10 Those redeemed by the Lord will have everlasting joy
James 5:7-10 Be patient in waiting for the Lord’s coming, like the prophets
Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist: a prophet indeed, and something more!
Reflection:
Jesus does not merely praise John the Baptist; he states his role as more than a prophet. John not only called people to repentance as the Old Testament prophets did; his role was to prepare the way for Jesus and identify him as the Messiah. When James says to be patient in waiting for Jesus to return, he points to the example of the prophets, the last of which is John the Baptist. What did John do while waiting for Jesus to appear?
· He lived a life of ascetic discipline, praying and fasting in a desert place. Historians tell us that a group of very dedicated Jews, called Essenes, were active at the time of John, and were probably involved with the Dead Sea Scrolls. They were something like monks, in that they did live in community and devoted themselves to prayer and study of the Scriptures.
· He spoke God’s word to the people without reserve. When King Herod sinned with his brother’s wife, John reprimanded him publicly, a dangerous thing to do. John was uncompromising with the Pharisees, too. When they came to him to be baptized, he challenged them to really reform, and not just make another show of it, which they were known to do. John’s approach in this area is reminiscent of the Judges of Israel, to whom the people went to find out what God expected of them. The soldiers, tax collectors and ordinary people went to him for guidance. He told them to be fair and just, to be honest and share what they had with the poor.
· John pointed out Jesus to the crowds at the Baptism of the Lord, but he also told his own disciples privately, including Andrew, who became an Apostle. When his friends worried that Jesus was becoming more popular, John expressed his joy in his role as “best man†for the wedding of Jesus and the Church.
· Humility. “What you suppose me to me I am not.†John openly declared that he was not the Messiah. When the ministry of Jesus was under way, John sent his disciples away to follow him. When people protested to John that Jesus’ disciples were baptizing more people, he said that he had the joy of a “best man†that could hear the voice of the Bridegroom.
Activity:
Group 1:
Personal holiness: The Catechism cites lax ascetical practice as one of the causes for sin (2733). The call to holiness causes much conflict in Christian discussion groups, because many feel it is an unreasonable expectation. They try to reason it away. In the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium, the Church clearly repeats the call of Jesus for us to be “perfect.†Remember that the people listened to John because he was known to be holy. A few related Scriptures:
Mark 2:21- “No man pours new wine into old wineskins.†Conversion!
Matthew 24:44- “Happy that servant whom his master discovers at work on his return! But if the servant is worthless…â€
Matthew 5:29- “If your right eye is your trouble, gouge it out!â€
Group 2:
Stand up for what is right: Many Church teachings go against popular wisdom or what is considered good in our society. In the past, out-of-control profit-seeking caused poisoning of the air and water. Slavery existed for hundreds of years in “Christian†countries. Today, the murder of babies is considered a “right†by our government. Christians are ridiculed for opposing pornography and sexual perversion. The Church must proclaim the truth, and we are the Church. If we don’t feel we should be public witnesses to the teachings of the Church, then perhaps we don’t really believe it.
Some related Scriptures:
James 5:19-20 “…the person who brings a sinner back from his way will save his soul from death and cancel a multitude of sins.â€
Matthew 18:15-18 “If your brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out his fault.â€
1 Timothy 6:17 “Tell those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be proud… Charge them to do good…â€
Titus 3:10 “Warn a heretic once and then a second time; after that, have nothing to do with him.â€
Group 3:
Evangelize. While we are waiting for Jesus, do we point the way for others? Are we “the light of the world?†Do our lives show the power and benefits of the Church’s teaching, or do our friends see us do things they know the Church preaches against? Every time we sin publicly (even just with one other person), we have “un-evangelized†others. Before we excuse ourselves from having to “behave like a Saint,†think about the following:
Matthew 5:13- “You are the light of the world.â€
“You are the salt of the earth.â€
Matthew 5:20 “Unless your holiness surpasses that of the Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of God.â€
Matthew 5:29- “If your right eye is your trouble, gouge it out!â€
Matthew 5:44 “Love your enemies… You must be made perfect.â€
Group 4:
Humility. He must increase, I must decrease.
Do we try to have “disciples?â€
Do we want to hold on to our friends tightly, even in defiance of God?
Are we as joyful as John when our friends put Jesus ahead of us?
Perhaps someone in this group can briefly relate the story of Philemon, Paul and Onesimus, where Philemon lost a slave, but gained a brother.
Group 1:
Many of us were taught things by our parents and society through word and example that are contrary to Church teaching. Discuss (briefly) how this is true for you for the Church’s teaching in the catechism:
2110, 2111, 2113, 2115 -2117, cf. Superstition represents a perverse excess of religion. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading and the wearing of charms… contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. All practices of magic and sorcery are likewise gravely contrary to the virtue of religion.
2180 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.
For the catechumen, will you accept and support this teaching? This means will you empty out what you have been taught if it conflicts with this.
Group 2:
Many of us were taught things by our parents and society through word and example that are contrary to Church teaching. Discuss (briefly) how this is true for you for the Church’s teaching in the catechism:
2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication by the very commission of the offense… The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.
For the catechumen, will you accept and support this teaching? This means will you empty out what you have been taught if it conflicts with this.
Group 3:
Many of us were taught things by our parents and society through word and example that are contrary to Church teaching. Discuss (briefly) how this is true for you for the Church’s teaching in the catechism:
2349, 2350, 2353, 2364, cf. Unmarried persons may not engage expressions of affection that belong to married love. Those that are engaged to marry are called to live chastity in continence. Adultery is a mortal sin.
For the catechumen, will you accept and support this teaching? This means will you empty out what you have been taught if it conflicts with this.
Group 4:
Many of us were taught things by our parents and society through word and example that are contrary to Church teaching. Discuss (briefly) how this is true for you for the Church’s teaching in the catechism:
2368, 2370, cf. …Every action which… proposes… to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil.