Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle C December 16, 2018

First Reading
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
A savior is promised to Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
Isaiah 12:2-3,4,5-6
A song of praise to God our savior

Second Reading
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice always because the Lord is near.

Gospel Reading
Luke 3:10-18
John the Baptist teaches the path of repentance and announces Christ

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.


Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday's Gospel continues last week's focus on John the Baptist and
his role in preparing the way for Christ. Recall that last week's reading
described John's appearance in the desert and established his connection
with the prophetic tradition of Israel. If we were to read Luke's Gospel
continuously, we would learn about John the Baptist challenging the crowds
who came to him and calling upon them to show evidence of their
repentance. John tells his listeners that they cannot rely on their
lineage as Israelites because children of Abraham can be raised up from
stones. Repentance, rather, must be observable in one's actions. Here,
Luke is continuing to set up two important themes of his Gospel message:
the Christian faith is expressed in one's actions, and the call to
salvation is extended to everyone, Jews and Gentiles.

In today's Gospel reading, the crowds ask John the Baptist for specifics.
What evidence of repentance is required? John replies by naming concrete
actions: crowds should share their food and cloaks; tax collectors should
be just; soldiers should act fairly. The concern for justice is a hallmark
of Luke's Gospel.

When the crowd begins to wonder if John the Baptist might be the Messiah,
John interprets his baptism and makes it clear that his ministry is in
preparation for the Messiah. John the Baptist knows his place and role in
God's plan of salvation. By encouraging the crowd to act similarly in
accordance with their stations in life, John's teaching suggests that each
person has a role to play in God's salvation. It is the great mystery of
our salvation that God permits and even asks for human cooperation in his
divine plans.

The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a
Latin word that means "rejoice." This name is taken from the entrance
antiphon for Sunday's Mass, which is also echoed in today's second reading
from the Paul's letter to the Philippians. Some people mark this Sunday by
lighting a pink candle instead of a purple one on their Advent wreath. It
is a reminder that the Advent season is a season of joy because our
salvation is already at hand.


Family Connection

The theme of the season of Advent is sometimes described as a period of
waiting for the birth of Jesus. However, today's Gospel reading suggests
something different. John the Baptist did not tell the crowds to wait for
the Messiah. He told them to prepare for the Messiah through acts of
repentance. If Advent is a time of waiting, it is not the sitting in the
doctor's office kind of waiting. It is a busy time of preparation, more
like the waiting we might do when preparing for dinner guests. Our
challenge is to not make this season a frenzied time, but rather a time of
joyful anticipation and making ready for God who comes to dwell among us
and changes our lives with the gift of salvation.

As you gather as a family, talk about the preparations your family is
making during the season of Advent. Reflect together on these activities,
not only on what you are doing but why you are choosing to do these
things. Read together today's Gospel, Luke 3:10-18. Consider how Advent is
a time for making ourselves ready to receive Jesus in our lives. Could
your family make some changes in your Advent activities so that each
person is well prepared to celebrate the gift of salvation at Christmas?
Conclude in prayer together that your family will be able to live the
spirit of Advent. Sing together an Advent song, such as "O Come, O Come
Emmanuel" or pray together today's second reading, Philippians 4:4-7, as
you light the third candle on your Advent wreath.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings