December 16 // 3rd Sunday of Advent

Reading I: Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Reading II: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3:10-18

John the Baptist was not everyone’s favorite kind of guy! He wants us to empty our closet for the poor or give up our most lucrative and self-aggrandizing practices! John asked then and now for our repentance, our turning away from the world’s values to God’s values. That’s how we prepare the way of the Lord. The people of Philippi got it. Paul wants them and us to keep rejoicing in the certain knowledge that God is near and we’ve nothing to fear. If we believe the reign of God is as near as our own heart and as real as our own hands we will have the freedom to love unabashedly, to share abundantly, and to no longer fear scarcity or hurt. With God’s love, we can endure anything.

Our scriptures on Rejoicing Sunday are full of God’s constant love. Here are two examples of God’s abundant love bursting forth in response to God’s love:

1. Loving supporters will stand in solidarity with our neighbors from 11 to 12 this Saturday, December 15 at 54 Oakman Street to reclaim the neighborhood from drug dealers and users near #20 school.

2. All who encouraged Congress to support a plan to protect and strengthen SNAP. The bipartisan Farm bill protects our nation’s most effective anti-poverty program that puts food on the tables of 42 million Americans AND invests in work opportunities for program recipients, utilizing proactive rather than punitive measures to help families move out of poverty.

Blessed Advent!
Deni Mack, DMin Pastoral Associate