THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

READINGS AT MASS

Isa. 61:1-2, 10-11

Luke 1

1 Thess. 5:16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Theme: WHO ARE YOU?

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Today is the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday because of the theme of joy that runs through the texts for the day. 

The concept of joy is a complex reality that continues to elude the grasp of men. We all want to be happy in life. We wish to feel good and fulfilled about ourselves and our achievements. But the question is where does true happiness come from?

The personality of John the Baptist is presented to us again in the Gospel text for today. John's disposition in his encounter with the Jewish leaders who came to inquire about his identity has some deep lessons for us. John the Baptist knew who he was and was not. His identity was clear to him. He would not allow himself to be forced to be what he was not. He told them, I am not the Christ. 

Beloved, there is so much pain and unhappiness in pretending to be what we are not. Many people have been hurt and many more have died in their efforts at being something or someone else. You can never be happy living someone else's life or appropriating their glory to yourself. What joy is there in taking or denying the glory that belongs to others?

The joy of Christmas is in God giving up His glory for us and we acknowledging, praising and worshiping Him for it. Our happiness is in bringing these glad tidings to others. The Christmas joy and the Good News cannot be horded, it must be shared abroad for the salvation of all. 

PRAYER

Almighty God and Father,  may the coming joy of Christmas make us agents of glad tidings to others. Amen.

May God bless you.

Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.