The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121618.cfm)
reminds me I should
patiently prepare for God's coming.
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.
In the gospel we see John tirelessly working as he was
preparing the way for and waiting for the coming of Christ. He knew his purpose
and patiently did his role. He was not focused on the situation and on how
other people treated him and reacted to him. He just did what he knew God
wanted him to do. He trusted God and had faith as he was waiting for
results.
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 not 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-
December 16, 2018
Third Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 9
Lectionary: 9
Reading 1 ZEP 3:14-18A
Shout
for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.
Responsorial Psalm IS
12:2-3, 4, 5-6.
R.
(6) Cry out with joy and gladness:
for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Reading 2 PHIL 4:4-7
Brothers
and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
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.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK
3:10-18
The
crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
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