Archive for December 16, 2023

One Who is Coming: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Third Sunday of Advent

Posted: December 16, 2023 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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One Who is Coming: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Third Sunday of Advent

 

Readings:

Isaiah 61:1–2, 10–11

Luke 1:46–50, 53–54

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

John 1:6–8, 19–28

The mysterious figure of John the Baptist, introduced in last week’s readings, comes into sharper focus today. Who he is, we see in today’s Gospel, is best understood by who he isn’t.

He is not Elijah returned from the heavens (see 2 Kings 2:11), although like him he dresses in the prophet’s attire (see Mark 1:6; 2 Kings 1:8) and preaches repentance and judgment (see 1 Kings 18:21; 2 Chronicles 21:12–15).

Not Elijah in the flesh, John is nonetheless sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to fulfill his mission (see Luke 1:17; Malachi 3:23–24).

Neither is John the prophet Moses foretold, although he is a kinsman and speaks God’s word (see Deuteronomy 18:15–19; John 6:14). Nor is John the Messiah, though he has been anointed by the Spirit since he was in the womb (see Luke 1:15, 44).

John prepares the way for the Lord (see Isaiah 40:3). The baptism he performs is symbolic, not sacramental. It is a sign given to stir our hearts to repentance.

John shows us the One upon whom the Spirit remains (see John 1:32), the One who fulfills the promise we hear in today’s First Reading (see Luke 4:16–21). Jesus’ bath of rebirth and the Spirit opens a fountain that purifies Israel and gives to all a new heart and a new Spirit (see Zechariah 13:1–3; Ezekiel 36:24–27; Mark 1:8; Titus 3:5).

John comes to us in the Advent readings to show us the light, that we might believe in the One who comes at Christmas. As we sing in today’s Responsorial, the Mighty One has come to lift each of us up, to fill our hunger with bread from heaven (see John 6:33, 49–51).

And as Paul exhorts in today’s Epistle, we should rejoice, give thanks, and pray without ceasing that God will make us perfectly holy in spirit, soul, and body—that we may be blameless when our Lord comes.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 16, 2023 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Are we a thin-skinned people so afraid of being criticized or judged for our zeal for the Lord? How then can we call it zeal? For zeal for Lord can only come from our deep-seated relationship with Him! We believe with all our hearts that He is the Lord of lords, King of kings and His peace, love and mercy reigns in our hearts.

Therefore, how can we not be bold to open the heavens for His people, to minister to them, to bind up wounds and turn the hearts of fathers towards their children. For shall we not declare to the Lord, “Let me be Your ‘Elijah’! Let me be Your ‘John the Baptist’! For You and for Your people, all for Your Glory! Amen

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First reading

Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12

The prophet Elijah will come again

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch.

It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal.

By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire.

How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!

Has anyone reason to boast as you have?

Taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses;

designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks,

to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob,

Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love.

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Gospel

Matthew 17:10-13

Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him

As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.