Monday of the Third Week of Advent Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27 The Authority of Jesus
In our daily lives, we often act according to our own will, choosing what we deem to be the right path, and resorting to all means to question those who teach us skills for surviving in this ever-changing world in accordance with the wisdom of life. At times, we are just like the chief priests and elders of the people who came to confront Jesus today (cf. Mt 21:23-25)—we intend to exert pressure on those whom we perceive as threats through methods we consider appropriate, seeking to force them to abandon their positions and submit to us.
We must never behave like those chief priests and elders, who spoke with the tongues of this perishable flesh. Lest by such words, we fall into carnal presumption; even though we have received the baptism of Christ and belong to Him, our souls and bodies would still remain trapped in the sin that leads to death. When we speak, we should utter the words that God has placed in our mouths, so that our thoughts, words, and deeds may be consistent with all that we have received. In this way, those who interact with us will, through the teachings we proclaim faithfully—teachings rooted in the Church founded by Christ Himself upon Saint Peter (cf. Mt 16:17-19)—join us in making straight the way of the Lord, so as to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Third Sunday of Advent / Gaudete Sunday Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 Are you the one we are seeking?
Today marks the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday (“Rejoice” in Latin). In our daily lives, when we eagerly await a significant event, we often seek advice from those we trust, finding comfort in their words. At times, we lean toward believing human assurances rather than the unseen God.
In our spiritual journey, we similarly yearn for eternal happiness. We entrust ourselves to the teachings proclaimed by God’s servants, receive Baptism to unite with Christ in His death and resurrection, and desire to draw from the infinite grace of divine love. Yet, like John the Baptist and his disciples, we may focus on seeking temporal blessings rather than the transformative gift of the Spirit.
On this Joyful Sunday, let us shift our gaze. Instead of relying on human expectations, let us discern the signs of God’s presence in our lives through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May we embrace Him fully, allowing our thoughts, words, and deeds to conform to His likeness, becoming new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19 Learn to discern, learn to act
We sometimes encounter the same confusion as the disciples who asked Jesus questions today. Because our lives are often bewitched by various individuals and our own selfish desires, we lose the motivation to pursue eternal happiness and even become sceptical of everything we believe in. This attitude gradually distances us from God and leaves us lost in life as time passes.
Let us constantly observe the work that God has begun within us through contemplation and discern God’s call to us carefully in life. Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we should experience God’s love in life, just as Saint Lucy, whom we celebrate today, bravely testified for Christ, living the spirit of the Gospel in our daily lives. This prompts our souls, like Elijah, to always welcome the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and to enter, together with our Lord Christ, into that inaccessible light, where we can behold the radiant faces of the Holy Trinity.
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