Let us ask God to make us aware of the poverty that surrounds us and to turn us into signs of His presence among the poor.
When people wait for something, there is always a spirit of eagerness and anticipation. The expectation of something great happening brings with it a vibrant joy, sometimes greater than the actual possession of what we have been waiting for. Our joy during this Advent season comes from our awareness that Jesus Christ, our Lord, is already with us. And if we allow it, He will come even closer to us, as we let Him make us more like Him. On this Gaudete Sunday, Isaiah describes a world overflowing with joy at the coming of the Lord. And James, in the second reading, reminds us that it is the ability to wait patiently for the Lord that doubles our joy when He arrives.
John the Baptist had begun his ministry by pointing to his cousin, declaring him the Lamb of God. As time went on, John wasn’t so sure, since Jesus’ methods seemed drastically different from his own. On the one hand, John was all about fire and fury, but Jesus seemed to have a melting heart. John wanted to cut down the barren trees; Jesus was in favor of giving them another chance. So, the question arose as to whether Jesus was really the one. In response, Jesus invites John to look at the fruits of his ministry: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. The ultimate sign of the Kingdom is the complete, healing joy it brings.
Among the main signs Jesus mentions about the long-awaited Messiah is that he brings the Good News to the poor. The Old Testament prophets had said that the Savior would do this. Even the Law had already stated, “There will be no poor among you.” The poor were Jesus’ great concern, and we are his disciples. Therefore, it is important for us to ask ourselves, are we as close to the poor as Jesus was? How many poor people are still among us? Let us pray, saying, “Lord, make me a channel of your joy, healing, and life for others.” Let us ask God to make us aware of the poverty that surrounds us and to turn us into signs of his presence among the poor.
May the Lord always give you his peace.
Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM
Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish
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