Homily for the 3 ^rd Sunday in Advent: December 16, 2007

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

There are many pressures that we experience in life and it is easy to become discouraged. Everyone carries burdens. Our good actions and good intentions can be misunderstood. Maybe our health is not good. You could have bad arthritis or chronic back pain. Family relationships could be difficult, trouble in communicating with your spouse or problems with the kids. Maybe even estranged from them. Financial problems can create tensions and worries. Maybe some one you love has let you down. Many people go to bed wondering if they can cope with all that they have to face.

The prophet Isaiah announced to the people: “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication….to save you.” To vindicate you means he comes to defend you. God is for you. Hardships are part and parcel of the human condition. You cannot get away from them. St. James says “Take as an example the hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” The patience he is talking about is remaining steadfast in trust of God.

Our prayer in Advent is: COME, LORD JESUS. Come spiritually in the celebration of Christmas as our Lord and Savior. Come in glory at the end of time as our judge who will vindicate us. But there is also an immediate coming of Christ, right here and now, today at this very moment. All the great saints remind us that now is the moment of conversion. Now is the time to trust in God, not when all is the way we want it to be. In fact the test of faith is when all is not going so well.

The message of the Third Sunday in Advent is: REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS; AGAIN I SAY, REJOICE! THE LORD IS NEAR. The Lord is deep within you. Do not lose heart. As Jesus said: HAVE FAITH IN GOD AND FAITH IN ME.

Our prayer is: COME, LORD JESUS. Give us the eyes to see your presence in all things. Give us the ears to hear your words of consolation. Give us the feet to walk in your ways. Give us the tongue to sing words of praise and thanksgiving. Give us hearts to be generous and forgiving. Give us the strength to not be afraid.

The reign of God we celebrate in Christmas does not enter the world in a great display of power but comes in the simple birth of the Christ Child laid in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. Jesus told the disciples of John to go tell him what they see: the blind regain their sight; the lame walk; lepers are cleansed; the dead are raised; and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. The kingdom of God breaks into the world through concrete acts of compassion, through healing, in justice, in liberation from oppression for the poor, and above all in peace.

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS; AGAIN I SAY, REJOICE! THE LORD IS NEAR.

Last Update December 18, 2007