Third Sunday of Advent

A few weeks ago, I was visiting the nearby Catholic grade school.  At recess, a cute little girl came up to me, called me by name, and said hello.  In response, I asked her, “Who are you?” and she smiled, brought herself up to her full height, and announced proudly, “I’m the principal’s daughter!”  Her delight came to mind again as I read today’s gospel.

"Who are you?" is the same question asked of John the Baptist in today’s gospel.  John knows very well who he is and why he is doing what he is doing.  His identity and what the Lord God has asked of him fuels the meaning and purpose of his life, and even his death.  It is behind all he says and does.

“Who are you?” is an excellent question for all of us to ponder during Advent.  And when we answer it in light of God’s word, we have reason to rejoice.  Similarly, the readings from Isaiah and 1 Thessalonians can enlighten us as to what we should do once we know who we are.  

We are preparing for Christmas, the celebration of the gift God gave to us in the Incarnation.  The all-powerful, creator God of the universe came into our world to share our human experience.  We know that Jesus, being fully human, yet fully divine, was like us in all things but sin.  What He did was free us from sin and death so that we might attain the glory of heaven.  Jesus shared our humanity, so that we might share in His divinity.

Who are we?  Through baptism, we are the daughters and sons of God, the sisters and brothers of Jesus.  Now that is a reason to rejoice!  Although weak and sinful at times, we are always welcomed back and washed clean in the mercy of God. 

Like Christ our brother, we have been anointed with the Holy Spirit.  The prophecy from Isaiah in today’s first reading are meant for us.  God has wrapped us in a mantle of justice.  We wear a robe of salvation.  We bear the beauty of a bride adorned with jewels or the impressive strength of a bridegroom wearing a diadem.  As the Scripture says, we rejoice heartily in the Lord and our God is the joy of our souls.  And Isaiah explains we have a mission in life as well, the same as that of Jesus.

Paul affirms all of this in the second reading when he tells the Thessalonians that the God of peace will make them perfectly holy – spirit, soul, and body.  God is faithful and God will accomplish this, Paul assures them. Again, these words are for us also and give us further cause for rejoicing.

What we need do is surrender to God’s work within us and strive to continue the work of Jesus by building up the Kingdom.  Such a surrender and sharing in the mission of Jesus calls for humility, like that of John the Baptist and Mary of Nazareth, the two who best symbolize Advent, the holy season of preparation.  They heard God’s call and said yes and were obedient every step of the way.  We desire to do the same. 

And as Paul encourages, we give thanks, always and everywhere, in every circumstance, for God at work within us.  God – Emmanuel – is with us, no matter what we have to endure, no matter where we may find ourselves. 

We rejoice, for the Lord is near.  Our God has come to save us and God will be faithful until the end.  We know that we are not worthy, but we believe that it is all ours, if only we are willing.