ADVENT III (C)

“FIRST IMPRESSIONS” 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 15, 2024 Zephaniah 3: 14-18; Psalm 12; Philippians 4: 4-7; Luke 3: 10-18 by Jude Siciliano, OP

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AN END OF THE YEAR APPEAL

It is that time of the year again when we reach out to you for help. Our weekly e-mailings now go to almost 4,000 recipients. Our webpage, “Preacher Exchange,” has had 11 million “hits” since last Advent. We have kept these Spanish and English resources free so those in poorer parishes and the developing world can have access to them. Judging from the emails I get, that is exactly what is happening. We can’t continue this service without your help – so will you?

Every day our community prays for our benefactors. And so, you and your loved ones will be remembered at our daily Eucharist and prayer during these special days of Advent and Christmas.

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Thank you

During Advent we are posting reflections on our webpage drawn from the daily Mass Scriptures. They are written by friars, sisters and laity of the Dominican Family.
For these daily and enriching Advent meditations go to: https://PreacherExchange.com/ And click on the ADVENT link button on the upper left.

Dear Preachers:

John the Baptist must have been an incredible preacher! His message draws large crowds of people, so many that they leave behind their daily routines and go out into the desert to hear him. There’s no fancy pulpit, no grand arena, no spotlight. Just a man aflame with the Spirit of God, speaking on God’s behalf, and his hearers catch the flame, moved by his zeal. “Now all the people were filled with expectation...”

They ask, “Teacher, what shall we do?” Isn't this often our question too? They don’t ask, “What should we feel? Or think?” There is no dogma, just a simple, urgent question: “What should we do?” This could be the question we bring with us to Mass today. It sounds like the people are ready to do anything to catch the flame burning in John’s heart, to share in his trust that God is about to act on their behalf.

John's response is striking: he doesn't ask people to leave their homes or abandon their families and work. He doesn’t demand any Herculean task, but simply calls them to live their daily lives with integrity and concern for others. If we are to welcome the Christ child at Christmas, we too must face what hinders our openness to Him and what dampens our welcome. We could ask the same question the crowds asked John: "What should we do?" The issue is not what to think or feel but what to do. The imminent coming of the Messiah demands action, now—not later.

To those with abundance, John says, “Whoever has two cloaks, should share with the person who has none.” To tax collectors, who were often corrupt and in league with the oppressors, he instructs, “Don’t collect more than what is prescribed.” To the soldiers, who held power over the people, he warns, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

John directs our attention to the ordinary aspects of our lives and asks us to live them well. Holiness is found in the everyday:

• Parents, honor your children.

• Children, respect your parents.

• Siblings, let go of rivalry.

• Teachers, value your students.

• Nurses and doctors, be compassionate and attentive to your patients.

• Lawmakers, listen to the needs of your constituents.

• Employers, pay fair wages and do not discriminate.

• (Feel free to add to this list from your own life experiences.)

These are lifelong commitments and the demands of daily life. John is proposing an everyday morality—within reach of everyone, no matter their role or occupation. It’s often harder to be faithful in the mundane aspects of life than to perform a single heroic act.

When we expect a guest, we prepare the house—cleaning, straightening things up. We make the space ready, but we can't make the guest come. They arrive when they arrive, and our preparation only makes us ready for them. Similarly, the daily preparations John calls for in our lives heighten our anticipation for Christ’s coming. It keeps us alert. It expresses our hope that, right now, Jesus will enter our lives, renew what is tired and routine, and transform it.

Advent is our time to prepare—not for the baby in the crib, but for the adult Christ who will come again. Jesus invites us to enter a new kind of community, a new way of living in the world. He will teach and enable us to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

This Kingdom starts now, here, and has visible signs of His presence. We know He’s near because in this community, each person is treasured. There are no outsiders, no one pushed to the back of the line because of their gender, nationality, race, or sexual orientation. The Kingdom of God sees and addresses the needs of the vulnerable, welcoming everyone as beautiful creations of God.

The adult Christ has come, and He continues to enter our lives each day, inviting us to recommit to His community, His way of life, His vision. It’s heroic to remain faithful to the daily routine of life as members of His Kingdom, living as He taught. Our presence here today in worship shows that we want to be loyal citizens in God’s realm. This Advent, we ask for the grace to do just that. We listen to what John the Baptist announces to us: When Christ enters our lives anew, He comes with a purifying fire and a life-giving Spirit. Our Advent prayer is, “Come, Spirit of Jesus.”

I came across this quote: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” John the Baptist and Jesus were like that. In Advent, we pause and listen with our hearts. We pray, “Let the footprints they leave on us be renewed.”

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfm

WILL YOU CONSIDER...

Sending a Christmas card to an inmate on death row? See below.

ADVENT PRAYER

May the waiting of the God of Advent touch you in your listening heart. May the companionship of Christ Jesus nurture you with gentleness this day. May the tender mercy of God draw you to the gentle compassion meant for you. May the witness of Mary, the mother of Jesus, inspire you to magnify, to the world, your own greatness and beauty of soul. May the Spirit of Jesus be born in you, for others to see, a light shining with the radiance of a love that is humble and real, gracious an overflowing!

(by Gregory Norbert)

JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD

Your kindness should be known to all.—Philippians 4: 5

This is Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for “rejoice.” Based on today’s readings, here are:

The Top Twelve Reasons Why We Should Rejoice:

# 12--The Lord has removed the judgment against you Z 3: 15
# 11--The Lord has turned away your enemies Z 3:15
# 10--The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst Z 3:15
# 9--You have no further misfortune to fear Z 3:15
# 8—No reason to be discouraged Z 3:16
# 7--A mighty savior is in your midst Z 3:17
# 6--God renews you in his love with gladness Z 3:17
# 5--The Lord sings joyfully because of you Z 3:17
# 4--You will draw water at the fountain of salvation I 12:3
# 3—Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel I 12:6
# 2--The Lord is near P 4: 5
# 1--The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds P 4: 7

You will note that four times we are told that God is here (#10, #7, #3, #2). Why do I mention this when the scripture that I have used is about kindness? Because in Luke’s Gospel, John the Baptist is telling his listeners to practice kindness—share your cloaks and food, stop collecting more taxes than necessary, don’t practice extortion, and don’t falsely accuse anyone. Obviously, God cannot be in the midst of a people who are unkind to one another. In Aristotle’s "Rhetoric," kindness is one of the emotions defined as being, "helpfulness towards someone in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped." In the Bible, kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Acts of social justice are, quite simply, kindness toward another. Where kindness is found, there is God in our midst. Rejoice!

Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC

FAITH BOOK

Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.

From today’s Gospel reading:

John said, “I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming....
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Reflection:

While the advertising world around us has been ramping up the Christmas season for weeks with “holiday specials,” let’s keep this Advent time “special” by focusing on Jesus’ coming into our lives. John the Baptist isn’t talking about the infant Jesus, but points our attention towards the adult Christ. He calls us to prepare for Christ’s coming by making changes in our everyday behavior.

So, we ask ourselves:

• What change can I make in my daily behavior that will show my readiness to receive Christ into my life?

• What Advent gift am I praying for that will help me make that change?

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out." ---Pope Francis

Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.

Please write to:

• Rodney Taylor #0472274 (On death row since 10/23/1999)

• Jeffery Meyer #0280127 (2/4/1999)

• Ted Prevatte #0330166 (2/22/1999)

----Central Prison, P.O. 247, Phoenix, MD 21131

Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.

For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/

On this page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/

DONATIONS

“First Impressions” is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like “First Impressions” sent weekly to a friend, send a note to Fr. John Boll, OP at jboll@opsouth.org.

If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.:

St. Albert Priory, 3150 Vince Hagan Drive, Irving, Texas 75062-4736

Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars.

Or, go to our webpage to make an online donation: https://www.PreacherExchange.com/donations.htm

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