Third Sunday of Advent
Is 35:1-6a, 10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
God’s Presence Breaking Forth
Our readings today use the image of the desert to depict the coming fulfillment of the Lord’s promises through the realization of Christ’s presence among us. The parched earth shall bloom, the voice of the forerunner will ring out, and all sorrow shall flee. We must not be tempted to believe, however, that this fulfillment is a static reality, existing only in the time that Jesus walked among his disciples. Rather, Christ is immanent, present among us, knowable and personal. The mystery of the incarnation is in constant bloom and draws us deeper and deeper into the heart of the Divine.
Looking upon your own life, in what specific ways do you see God’s presence breaking through? How is Jesus present to you in this very moment?
—Fr. Louis Hotop, SJ, serves in ministry to migrants in the Brownsville (Texas) Diocese on the U.S.-Mexico border. He is a member of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province.
Prayer
Loving Jesus, you search me, and you know me. During this Advent season send your guiding light to help me to clearly see your presence breaking forth in my life. Amen.
—Fr. Louis Hotop, SJ