Third Sunday of Advent Year A
Isaiah 35:1–6a, 10
Psalm 146:6–7, 8–9, 9–10
James 5:7–10
Matthew 11:2–11
Human beings are usually goal oriented. We want to accomplish something. All our actions are designed to achieve some purpose. Our purpose might be rather self-serving. On the other hand, we might be altruistic or unselfish in our intentions. We do what we do to help others or to serve God.
Even when our goals and aims are right, nonetheless, we are generally eager to observe some progress. John the Baptist, from prison, sends his disciples to Jesus to discover if his life’s work has been accomplished. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
Jesus’ response to John is merciful. Realizing that the manner of His own arrival is not quite as John had preached, Jesus points out that Scripture is fulfilled by the actions He has been performing in John’s absence.
“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
John has indeed fulfilled his mission. Jesus goes on to praise him as the greatest of those “born of women.” But He also challenges those who are now following Him to examine their own motives for following John in the first place and to reflect upon their own destiny, to go beyond John’s preaching and to enter into the kingdom of heaven. John’s mission was to prepare the way. Jesus’ followers are given a greater charge.
Advent continues with the theme of expectation. On this Gaudete Sunday, Isaiah promises renewed life, vindication and recompense, healing from all that has held us back from the kingdom. St. Paul calls for patience and trust in the Lord that His action will accomplish all that has been promised.
Perseverance in the face of apparent delay and commitment to our relationship with God as savior is the response required of disciples of the Lord. We rejoice, believing that salvation is near at hand.
Our hearts cry out, “Lord, come and save us.” Putting faith in God, we commit to a purpose that goes beyond what this world can offer. Like John, we must allow our expectations to be pruned. What seems to require a divine action that shows God’s power and strength in no uncertain terms is often replaced by an action that is subtle, hidden, unseen except with the eyes of faith. Yet, it offers fruit that is evident.
We see with new eyes and have the strength to continue on our way to the kingdom. We can move forward, even if at times we still limp along. Life is renewed when we feared it was lost. Accepting our emptiness, we can open our hearts to be filled with the grace to persevere.
Soon, the theme of Advent turns from the final coming of the Lord to preparation for celebration of the Nativity. Liturgy and the Scriptures assigned to us each day remind us that, while we look forward to ultimate fulfillment of the promises, in the meantime we are to prove our faith by living in accord with it in the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Christmas comes for hearts that are open. The Lord Who was born in Bethlehem is born anew in our lives. We want our faith to bear fruit. We look again to the unfolding of human history that has already borne fruit in the birth of the Child in Bethlehem.
The Collect of the Third Sunday of Advent presents the themes of this time of preparation in a beautiful synthesis: “O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.”
Perseverance in faith is the light that will guide us to the kingdom. Trust in the power of God to overcome sorrow will be the source of joy. The God we desire meets us where we are and guides us into the kingdom that surpasses all expectations.