Third Sunday of Advent

Secon Reading: James 5:7-10

 

Patience.  It’s mentioned four times in this four line passage.  That’s why I chose to reflect on the second reading instead of the gospel this week.  While I was trying my best to reflect upon the gospel, this theme of patience kept coming back to me.  I finally gave in and thought, “Well, that’s where the Holy Spirit wants me to go.” So here we are.

 

When I first read this passage an event that occurred at mass a few weeks ago immediately came to mind.  We were about three quarters of the way through communion when, almost simultaneously, all four ministers of the Eucharist ran out of hosts.   The presider went to the tabernacle and then met the remaining three ministers at the altar to divide up the hosts that had been kept in reserve.  Those on line for communion stood in place until each minister returned to his/her station.

 

In the sanctuary after mass the sacristan apologized profusely for miscounting the number of people in the congregation, to which someone replied, “Don’t worry.  It’s alright.  You gave everyone a Holy Saturday moment:  everyone had the opportunity to wait patiently for the return of the Lord.”   The presider smiled heartily at this theological pronouncement, and all went in peace.

 

In looking back on this I realized that it was truly an Advent moment as well.  They say that patience is a virtue.  It is also, and more importantly, a grace.  It is, mostly, a mystery.  A friend recently remarked how we are always told that everything happens “in God’s time,” but that this provides very little comfort because we only know “our time.’ We look at our lives, and we look around the world, and we see so much that is wrong.  So much that fosters hurt, pain, sadness, fear, illness, discord, etc.  We look at our lives and at salvation history and we know that God always comes through.  Somehow, God always has the last word.  Yet, it is perplexing that it doesn’t happen as quickly as we want it to.

 

In today’s second reading we get a deeper understanding of the holiness of waiting.  The very act of waiting is sacred.  The very exercise of patience loving.  This reading makes me think back even further when my dad often told me: don’t hang onto anger; don’t seek revenge; don’t worry about getting even; don’t worry about what you don’t have. Be patient. Everything in life evens out.  That’s God’s way.

 

That’s God’s way.

 

Help me be patient Lord.

 

“Call Me Ishmae

Are you prepared?

 This week’s Gospel, Matthew 3:1–12, reminds us that John the Baptist boldly proclaims that the Messiah is coming. He urges everyone to repent and prepare for Jesus’ arrival. The question we must ask ourselves is: How have you prepared for Jesus? When John preached, he made it clear that Jesus was far greater than he was. John baptized with water, but Jesus would bring fire to the soul. This was a powerful indication that Jesus was coming to change the world as they knew it. In many ways, John’s message of repentance applies directly to our lives each and every day.

When John spoke to the people of Judea, his message was simple and direct: Repent and prepare, because Jesus is coming. He called the people to change their ways, to acknowledge their sinful behavior, and to grow closer to the Lord. Repentance is not about what you say—it is about who you become. Many people, like the Pharisees, assume that words alone are enough. We often think that saying the right thing is enough to convince the world that we have changed. But John knew better. He made it clear that we are called to change from within. That is the power of Jesus—He brings transformation from the inside out.

When you truly repent in the name of Jesus, you change. You become a brand-new version of yourself. The beauty of repentance is that it doesn’t matter where you are starting from—you are always made new. You always get a Day One. Your past does not define your future. You simply get a fresh start. That is exactly why the people of Judea were coming to John—they wanted a brand-new beginning.

Have you ever wanted a fresh start? Have you ever wanted another chance? Throughout my life, I can honestly say that Jesus has been gracious enough to give me many new beginnings. I know it is not because of anything I have done, but because of His love and His grace. I am a firm believer in the power of true repentance. True repentance requires us to reflect honestly on the sinful nature that exists within all of us—to examine it without ego or pride—and to let go of everything that stands in the way of a deeper relationship with the Lord. It is in those moments that we experience His transformative power. Without repentance, we will face judgment. Scripture makes it clear that the only way to the Kingdom is to repent and prepare for the Lord. The faithful will be gathered to Him, and the unbelievers will be separated like wheat.

So what does it really look like to be faithful? I believe there is a major misconception that faithful people live easier lives. In truth, I believe that when you follow Christ, you are tested more than ever. As a believer, there is a special place in your heart reserved for the Lord—a place that keeps you morally grounded, spiritually awake, and more sensitive to the broken nature of the world. That awareness comes at a cost. It is the cost of knowing deeply what is right and what is wrong. The closer you walk with the Lord, the more clearly you see what is wrong with the world. It is much easier to remain ignorant of the enemy’s work.

As believers, we are called to rise above our sinful nature and to model the behavior that Christ calls us to live by. And as we continue to prepare for the return of the Messiah, we are reminded again of our call: to repent, to renew our faith, and to live in a way that allows us to be counted among the faithful.