Study: Consider a moment when you heard really good news.  How did it feel?  How did it change the way you thought or acted?

Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance how your life can be a blessing to others.

Serve: Do you know someone who is having a bad day?  How can your life bring light to their lives?

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Advent

The readings of this 3rd Sunday of Advent are filled with hope and power:

• 1st Reading – Isaiah proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.”
• Psalm – “My soul rejoices in my God.”
• 2nd Reading – St. Paul says, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.”
• Gospel – John the Baptist comes to testify to the Light.

The themes here all point to God’s power and glory.  As Christians we have confidence that the Lord walks with us, sustains us, and empowers us to face the challenges and obstacles of life.

Isaiah recognizes that there are troubles in this life – the poor, the brokenhearted, those captive and in prison.  We, too, understand very well that there are problems that must be faced and situations that will push us to our limits.  Yet we are not alone; God’s Spirit fills us with new life!

This is cause to rejoice!  Our Good News in Jesus recalls that Christ is victorious over sin and death.  The Lord comes into our world to breathe new life into our limbs when we are weary.  We have a strength that does not fail, and we call upon God with joy.

And like John the Baptist, we can testify to the light of Jesus Christ in the world.  People are hungry for this light, and people continue to give their lives that God’s light will shine…to cast out darkness and evil.

So call upon the Holy Spirit!  Rejoice in the Lord!  Pray always!  And testify to the grace and peace that comes when Christ Jesus shines in our hearts!

This, my friends, is the Good News of the Gospel.

Note: This post was first published on December 11, 2017.