Patiently Preparing

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121116.cfm) reminds me that I should continue to prepare myself as I patiently wait for God. 

The readings this advent generally talk about us preparing ourselves to receive God and for his coming, which we commemorate this Christmas. The first Sunday reminded me that we should prepare, the second Sunday reminded me to go a step further and proclaim God in and through my life. Today, I am reminded that we should be patient while we are waiting for Him.

The second reading tells us that as a farmer patiently waits for the seeds to bear fruit, so should be wait patiently for the coming of God. In the gospel we see John tirelessly working as he was preparing the way for and waiting for the coming of Christ. In the first reading we see what great things will happen when Christ comes. 

We should learn how to wait.

Trees do not grow overnight. Flowers do not bloom in one hour. Fruits do not grow in a day. However, while we are waiting for trees and fruits to grow, and flowers to bloom, we should continue doing our best to take care of it. Water it. Give it nutrients, fertilizers, enough sunlight. We should do this even if it seems that nothing is happening. Time should not dampen us, rather, we should be faithful and be patient and do our best even if nothing seems to happen. 

We should do the best that we can while waiting for the right season for them to grow and bloom.

So it is with our faith. As we wait for Christ, we should continue loving Him, serving Him, doing good, praying, reading the bible. No matter how we feel or if nothing seems to happen, we should continue to prepare.  So that when he comes, we will truly be ready.

May we be faithful in doing our part in preparation while waiting patiently for God. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Lord, it’s already the third Sunday but I i feel I am. It yet ready. I feel that I have not prepared the best way I can. Sorry for being busy and distracted from what is important. Help me. Remind me. Guide me. I pray that you help me really prepare for you this Christmas. May I be patient as I wait for you, and may I continue to love and serve you through others as I do so. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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December 11, 2016
Third Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 7

Reading 1 Is 35:1-6a, 10

The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
they will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (cf. Is 35:4) Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 Jas 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Alleluia Is 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“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.”

As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
“What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”