These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let justice also spring up!
I, the LORD, have created this. (Is 45:6c-8, 21c-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121521.cfm
At this time of year, thanks to the Angel Tree at the entrance to our churches, many of us are moved to acts of charity. But Advent calls us to the next step beyond charity, to work for justice. The One whose coming we await is the Just One . . . even as Advent calls us to pray: Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior (Is 45:8).
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 34)
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121421.cfm
The scriptures of Advent remind us that God is close to us. Saint John of the Cross, like his friend, Saint Teresa of Avila, teach the church the difference between saying prayers and prayer itself. Today's picture is a drawing of the Crucifixion by Saint John of the Cross.
Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle: I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel. (Num 24:2-7, 15-17a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121321.cfm
Balaam’s prophecy sees the coming of the Messiah with the mention of a star, a detail that the gospel writer, Matthew, uses to great effect. Saint Lucy is one of the famous young women martyrs of the early church. Before the calendar reform in 1582, her feast day marked the winter solstice. Her feast day is especially celebrated in the northern countries.
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals. (Zep 3:14-18a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121221.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121220.cfm
On this Third Sunday of Advent, the church, along with Saint Paul, invites us to “rejoice in the Lord always.” Today is also the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, la Morenita, who appeared to Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in 1531. The prophet Zephaniah proclaims that even God rejoices and sings “as one sings at festivals.”
As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Mt 17:9a,10-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121121.cfm
John the Baptist has always been considered the “herald”, the one who prepares the way of the Lord. Why is it that in Advent instead of RESTORING all things like Elijah and John the Baptist, we would rather PRESERVE things just as they are? Perhaps we may be a little too invested in this commercialized, cold, dog-eat-dog world.
