3rd Sunday of Advent
My dear parishioners,
God is Good!!! All the time!!! And all the time!!! God is Good!!!
In his oracles, Isaiah often draws imagery from nature. In this reading, the prophet uses the image of a desert transformed into a garden to express the changes service to God can make in the world. The prophet was all too familiar with the ill effects of misguided leadership. The royal line of David sapped the life out of the kingdom through their refusal to allow the standards of heaven to guide their policies
Traditional qualities of the coming Messiah focused on someone who would be a successful military warrior similar to the great King David. Jesus did nothing that would qualify him for this traditional role. John the Baptist has heard of Jesus’ works which emphasize service and blessing. He thus sends his disciples to question Jesus and find out who he is.
No direct answer. Jesus gives John’s disciples no direct and clear answer as to whether or not he is the Messiah. Instead, he encourages them to tell John what they hear and see happening in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus points to a succession of works all aimed at helping those in need. Jesus emphasizes what today we would call the corporal works of mercy. Jesus says nothing about military power, successful victories over others, or mystical glory. Instead, he echoes what is found in Isaiah 35:5-6. Jesus seems aware that this response will disappoint those awaiting a traditional Messiah. He declares those blessed who are not offended by all this.
Who is John the Baptist? Jesus compares John the Baptist implicitly to the great prophet Elijah. He was a fierce proclaimer of God’s plan. He wore rough clothing and worked mostly in the Judean desert. John is every bit the prophet that Elijah was and more so. John is the one whose message prepares the way for the Messiah. He is the fulfillment of the scripture quote from Malachi 3:1 and Exodus 23:20. “Behold I am sending my messenger ahead of you . . .”
Is Jesus the Messiah? Some commentators see a post-resurrection debate going on in this Gospel passage between the Christian disciples and the disciples of John the Baptist. More important than that is the ambiguity that runs throughout the passage regarding the messianic identity of Jesus. Does Jesus fulfill a prophetic messianic expectation voiced by prophets such as Isaiah? Or does Jesus redefine all traditional messianic expectations and therefore create a new understanding of what it means to be the Messiah? To address these questions adequately, one must examine carefully the full story unfolded by the Gospel. How Jesus is the expected Messiah must emerge from within the Gospel narrative and not be imposed on it
Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Aloysius