Extraordinary grace in the ordinary moments of life
Dec. 15–Third Sunday of Advent
Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6, R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.; Philippians 4:4-7; Gospel – Luke 3:10-18
Continuing our reflections from last Sunday, i.e., the radical reorientation John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance entailed, we now see concrete examples of this change.
This is our first point for reflection. Then we will reflect on two passages from today’s Gospel: “Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts…,” and “…he preached good news to the people.” (cf. Luke 3: 10-18)
As we come to the final days of our Advent journey, it will be good to ask what radical reorientation we need or desire.
We were given concrete examples by John the Baptist. He exhorted the sharing of goods; share one’s extra cloak and food with those who are need. He warned against extortion, false accusation, greed.
I could not help but think of Pope Francis’ examples in his bull of indiction for the Jubilee Year of Hope that “each of us may be able to offer a smile, a small gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed” as our expression of a “faith that is joyful, and our charity enthusiastic.”
The radical reorientation in our life is lived in the little things we do in the day to day—the extraordinary grace in the ordinary moments of our life.
One striking point in the Gospel is the description of the crowd, “Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts…”
This shows us the deep desire and the intense longing of the people for the Messiah. This description can very well be applied to the crowds that would later follow Jesus.
We saw in the crowds that flocked to John and the crowds that followed Jesus the hunger and thirst for the long awaited Messiah. Much of their psyche was shaped by this hunger and thirst.
I believe this same desire and longing are present to this day in the hearts of many who seek healing and wholeness, search for purpose and meaning, and thirst for hope.
Grace
What is our own desire and longing? What is the grace we ask for, especially in our Advent journey? I think it is important to ask ourselves this, especially at a time when we seem to be overwhelmed by so many challenges and anxieties.
We experienced this in the early days of the pandemic. And this was why Pope Francis became a very central figure, a source of grace for many of us.
Think of those days. His extraordinary urbi et orbi blessing March of 2020 became a worldwide moment of prayer. His immediate statement on the “validity” of online Masses and proposing the “Act of Spiritual Communion” became sources of renewal of the devotion to the Mass.
To this day, we need men and women who will inspire us and provide us spiritual, psychological and emotional nourishment.
Finally, and “…he preached good news to the people.” This was the core of John the Baptist’s ministry. It was to announce the good news that the Messiah was in the midst of the people.
This is the heart of our preparations during the days of Advent and what we celebrate come Christmas day.
“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’” (Luke 2: 10)
The good news of great joy is, Jesus came to be God-among-us and showed us the path to our salvation.
I end with a prayer that I feel at one and the same time humbled and filled with joy every time I pray it with and for others: “God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins…”
This began with the promise of a Savior, and in the “fullness of time” the sending of the Son as God-with-us.
This final stage we celebrate beginning with the Child in the manger.
