A WORD FOR TODAY 13 DECEMBER 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY 13 DECEMBER 2020


 

A WORD FOR TODAY

BE THE VOICE OF TRUTH AND JOY IN THE LAND

_"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor"(Isaiah 61:1-2)_

_*Today is the third Sunday of Advent and it is traditionally called the Gaudete (Latin word for rejoice) Sunday. The central theme in the readings of today is joy. It is the Sunday we are told to rejoice, although Christ has not been born and we are still preparing and waiting for His coming, but we must do that in joy and not sadness, because He who is coming is the author and source of authentic Joy.*_

_In the first reading of today the prophet Isaiah gives us an insight into what will become the mission mandate of our Lord Jesus Christ when He comes. He was anointed to bring good tidings to the poor, afflicted, the broken hearted and those in captivity. These are people whose situation makes them to be sad, but by His action they will become happy. This prophecy will come to fulfilment in the new testament as we have recorded in the gospel of Luke 4:18-21. He tells us to rejoice greatly in the Lord and exult in Him. This will also be proclaimed by the Blessed Virgin Mary in her magnificat as we have in the responsorial psalm today.(Luke 1:46ff)_

_*In the second reading, St. Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always and give thanks in all circumstances, and the sure way to rejoice always is to hold fast to what is good and abstain from evil. When you do these, you will have peace and will be ready to meet and welcome the Lord when He comes. This may sound impossible, but it is the sure way to be happy in this life and in the world to come.*_

_To be joyful is to be happy and it is an emotion that comes from achieving something good, being successful, experiencing good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. The greater source of true Joy is to know God and to be in a good relationship with Him and then be ready to share God's joy to others through our words and actions. Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and it is a sign that shows God's presence in the heart of His people_

_*In the gospel reading we see John the Baptist tell the people who He is. He did not claim to be who He is not, but with joy and humility pointed Christ to the people.(Humility in action) He is the voice of truth and Joy. He drew people to Christ who is the source of Joy and salvation. What kind of a voice are you? The voice that draws people closer to God or the one that leads them away? The one that blesses or the one that quarrels and curse people? To be the voice of truth you must first be attentive and listen to the voice of the bridegroom Himself who is Christ.*_

_Our part in today's celebration is to aim to be the voice of truth and joy in the land. We must tell the people the truth and it will make us joyful and when we are joyful we will be abld to share joy with others. Always remember that you cannot give what you do not have, therefore, strive to grow in joy and truth and you will be ready to share with others. We must grow deeper in love with Christ who is the truth and the real source of joy and in that way we shall become instruments and channels of truth and joy in His hand just as John was._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a joyful Sunday. May God restore your joy and may He give you the grace to remain joyful even in difficult and challenging times. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11/Luke 1:46-54/1 Thessalonians 5:16-24/John 1:6-8,19-28

*Watch-Word:* Rejoice always in the Lord.

*Never let anyone take away your joy. Be near to Jesus and you will be happy in all circumstances.*

( Third Sunday of Advent. Cycle B)