The One

3rd Sunday of Advent
12 December 2010



Come, let us worship the Lord, the King who is to come.


First reading Isaiah 35:1-6,10

Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult,
let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,
let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil,
let it rejoice and sing for joy.
The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it,
the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;
they shall see the glory of the Lord,
the splendour of our God.
Strengthen all weary hands,
steady all trembling knees
and say to all faint hearts,
‘Courage! Do not be afraid.
‘Look, your God is coming,
vengeance is coming,
the retribution of God;
he is coming to save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
the ears of the deaf unsealed,
then the lame shall leap like a deer
and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy.
They will come to Zion shouting for joy,
everlasting joy on their faces;
joy and gladness will go with them
and sorrow and lament be ended.

Psalm Psalm 145:6-10

Second reading James 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Gospel Matthew 11:2-11

John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare your way before you.
‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’

Reflection
By Pietro S. Albano

December has been the month of weddings in the Philippines. Most couples would prefer this month because, it seems to be a more suitable month than June as the climate is much better and families and friends alike would have more time to reunite (and enjoy it!). Nidz and I tied the knot in December almost eight years ago because of those reasons (and many more!).

Settling down is and should never be taken lightly. That’s why anyone wishing to embrace a vocation such as marriage should really discern if this is the right course of action. (Who said that discernment is only for those aspiring for the priesthood or religious life?)

For those who have been in a relationship and would look forward to marry in the future (ditto those who are thinking of other vocations), there is one nagging question that they have to ask again and again as part of their discernment: Is he/she the one?

A similar question was asked by John the Baptist when He heard news about what was Jesus doing. It wasn’t because he doubted Jesus. John, who ardently exhorted his audience to repent in preparation for the Messiah’s coming, asked the question because, he wanted to be sure that Jesus is “the One”.

Jesus’ reply to John’s question wasn’t a direct “Yes”, but an elaborate response of what the Promised Messiah will do: the blind can see, the lame can walk, etc. Although “the One” that young ladies or gentlemen are looking for won’t be such a wonder worker like Jesus, I think they should still check if indeed the person they yearn for would have Christ-like features (not the likes of those who promise to pick the stars in the sky or pull the moon from its orbit). Here’s a checklist based on what Jesus' reply in this Gospel:

1. Does this person lead us to the light (i.e. Christ/truth) instead of darkness (i.e. vices/despair/evil)?
2. Does this person enable us more to rise up again from our failures and walk in Christ’s way than hinder us from walking in the light?
3. Does this person support us more in living a clean life than pull us down to the ground?
4. Does this person allow us to hear more clearly the truth than lies?
5. Does this person inspire us to live life to the full?

If your answer is “Yes” in all of these, then you are certain that he/she will continue to do so in married life. You are indeed on the right track! If not, “Be patient...Don’t lose heart!” as St James wrote in the Second Reading today. The right one will come soon. There is no rush to leave the SMC (Samahang Malamig ang Christmas) group!

It has been said that John became great because he didn’t settle for anything less. Although noting was written in the Gospels about John’s reaction to Jesus’ reply, I am very sure that he rejoiced that his patient waiting has bore fruit.

Young people aspiring to become husbands and wives soon: follow John’s example of not settling for anything less! Otherwise, your life would be in shambles! That’s not what God has in mind for you!

On a larger scale, as we continuously prepare for the Lord’s coming, let’s not settle for anything less! Didn’t Christ say that apart from Him we can’t do anything?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your coming has fulfilled the Father’s promise. May our hearts be always ready and focused to recognize Your presence in our midst. Strengthen us, especially the youth, that we may all discern patiently and choose wisely so as to gain life-long happiness in Your presence. Forgive us for the many times that we have settled for the wrong options. We ask these through the intercession of Mother Mary and of John the Baptist. Amen.


Next week on God-speak
The Dreamer, the Mover