32 / 85
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11
Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Summary
In the first reading Isaiah shares with us the proclamation of the year of favor
with God.The second reading Saint Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians re-
minds us of how to live as Christians. Lastly in the Gospel of John, John the Bap-
tist gives testimony of Jesus’ coming.
Reflection
The theme that runs through all three readings is to keep your eyes on Jesus. He
is sent to us from God to redeem us and set us free.
In the first reading from Isaiah, Isaiah is proclaiming that this year will be the
year of favor with the Lord; the JubileeYear. During Isaiah’s time, the year of the
favor of the Lord was a time when all debts were forgiven, glad tidings for the
poor, and all captives were set free. No doubt this is wonderful and joyous time,
and Isaiah praises God for it.
The Gospel of John provides John the Baptist’s testimony to the priests and Le-
vites that he is making way for the coming of Jesus; although, they don’t under-
stand his message.What does that mean to us? Jesus is sent to us from our Heav-
enly Father to forgive our debts, bring glad tidings to the poor, and set the cap-
tives free. So if Jesus was sent to Earth to bring this about, then I would say that
it is time to celebrate and rejoice just as the Jewish people did in Isaiah for the
JubileeYear.
In the second reading, Saint Paul writes the Thessalonian Christians giving them
a gentle reminder of how we Christians should live in accordance to God’s will.
That is to be joyful, rejoicing always, praying
unceasingly, and always giving thanks to God
for everything. He also reminds the early Chris-
tians to refrain from every evil. He tells them
and us to do all these things to make ourselves
ready, to be perfectly holy and blameless for
our Lord Jesus Christ. In reality, it IS the way we