Third Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 8
17 DEC 2023 A.D.


Reading 1
Is 61:1-2A, 10-11

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
to announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God.

I rejoice heartily in the LORD,
in my God is the joy of my soul;
for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation
and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,
like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,
like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations.


Responsorial Psalm
Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54

R. My soul rejoices in my God.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
R. My soul rejoices in my God.


Reading 2
1 Thes 5:16-24

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophetic utterances.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.

May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.


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
Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.

And this is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests
and Levites to him
to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it,
but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”
So they asked him,
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?”
And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
So they said to him,
“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘make straight the way of the Lord,’”
as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”
John answered them,
“I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.


Overview of the Gospel:

• This Sunday, the third in Advent, is called “Gaudete (Joyful) Sunday” from the Entrance Antiphon which
calls us to “Rejoice!” (from Philippians 4:4).

• The Gospel reading is pieced together from the first chapter of John. While most of this beautiful and
profound hymn touches on the mystery of the person of Jesus (verses 1-5, 9-14, 16-18), this Sunday’s
verses concern the identity and mission of John the Baptist.

• John was just as important for who he was (verse 23; Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1, 23) as for who he was
not (verse 20-21; Deuteronomy 18:15). Great as he was, he was only a precursor to One who was
even then in their midst—Jesus, the Messiah.

• Even though John denied he was the Old Testament prophet Elijah, who was expected to return to
precede the Messiah (verse 21), Jesus seemed to state other wise (see Matthew 11:13-14; Mark 9:11-
13). John could be said to be Elijah—in role and spirit (Luke 1:17).

• John’s baptism was for repentance only (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4). Different from both the Old
Testament ritual washings and ablutions (Leviticus 14:8; Numbers 19:17-21; John 11:5) AND from the
New Testament sacrament of regeneration (Acts 2:37-38; John 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21). Jesus himself would
establish this baptism in fire and the Holy Spirit.
[special thanks to Vince Contreras: "Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics."]


"Do penance,” says St. John, “make low these mountains of pride; fill up these ditches of tepidity and cowardice.” The valley the glorious St. John wants us to fill up is fear, which when excessive, tends to discouragement, making us recall past sins. Fill up the valleys; fill your hearts with confidence and hope, because salvation is at hand." ~St. Francis de Sales

Thanks!

Yes, Brother, tortilla-flats!

REJOICE!