Church of the
Annunciation

7580 Clinton Street
Elma, New York 14059

716.683.5254

December 13, 2020

3rd Sunday of Advent

We know in all four Gospels that John the Baptist is introduced as “a voice of one crying out in the desert.” In our Gospel today according to John, the evangelist, John the Baptist is described as one giving testimony to the light. The light coming into the world is Jesus Christ. Fittingly, we light candles in our Advent Wreath as we prepare for Christmas. The pink candle is a symbol of joy. Jewish people are celebrating Hanukkah. It is a festival of lights recalling the rededication of the 2nd Temple. It includes the lighting of the menorah, traditional songs and food, games, and gifts.

 

Our first three reading mention joy. Isaiah says to the Jewish exiles who have returned home to Jerusalem, “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.” With the Responsorial Psalm, we sing with Mary, “My soul rejoices in the Lord.” St. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 

 

Pope Emeritus Benedict writes, “To celebrate Advent means to bring to life within ourselves the hidden Presence of God. It takes place to the extent that we travel the path of conversion and change our cast of mind by turning from the visible to the invisible. As we travel this path, we learn to see the miracle of grace; we learn that there can be no more luminous source of joy for human beings and the world than the grace that has appeared in Christ. The world is not a futile confusion of drudgery and pain, for all the distress the world contains is supported in the arms of merciful love; it is caught up in the forgiving and saving graciousness of our God.”  

This mysterious light that John the Baptist gives testimony to, opens the eye of the heart to see the most important things in life are spiritual – the assurance of God’s love, His ready forgiveness, and our salvation in Christ. We realize the importance of fidelity to God, and faithfulness in marriage, and among family and friends. We recognize the importance of character, values, and integrity in our relationships and dealings with others. We see the joy promised in the Season of Advent comes when we are grateful, generous, and compassionate. 

John the Baptist tells those who come to the Jordan River to be baptized with water that the Messiah is one among them whom they do not recognize. It can be a real tragedy, in a world of artificial lights, to miss the true Light. Advent is the time of the year when we can learn once more to see, to appreciate, to recognize the ways the Lord is present to us. December 13th is the feast of Saint Lucy. It commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, Sicily, an early 4th century virgin martyr under Emperor Diocletian, who according to legend brough food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a candle lit wreath on her head to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible. Her feast is widely celebrated as a festival of lights within the Advent season. “Lucia” means “light.” May the light of Christ guide our way.

 

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4th Sunday of Advent

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