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Today’s Word: Third Sunday of Advent – December 14, 2025

Isaiah 35:1-6, 10

Psalms 146:6-10

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

The readings for this third Sunday of Advent, focus on the themes of joy, patience, and also the definitive proof of God’s saving power through Christ’s works. The readings invite reflection on joy and the signs of the coming Kingdom of God in our midst. This Sunday is also known as Gaudete (having joy or being joyous) Sunday. The Lord Jesus is near. It is a time to be joyful.

Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally a moment to pause and rejoice, as it says in Phillippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always;” (Philippians 4:4, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). This third Sunday is marked by the lighting of the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath. This burst of joy is rooted in the certainty that the Lord’s coming is near.

The prophet Isaiah, in the First Reading, paints a vibrant picture of restoration: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer;” (Isaiah 35:5-6, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). This is God’s coming, a time of everlasting joy.  Psalm 146 echoes this, praising a God who secures justice, and does good for the people. The Lord is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. … All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!” (Psalms 146:8, 10, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). These readings remind us that our faith is not just about abstract beliefs but about a tangible reality of healing and justice that God brings into the world.

The Letter of James encourages patient waiting for the Lord’s coming, comparing it to a farmer’s patient expectation of the harvest. (James 5:7, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). This is an active patience. James tells the people to not complain, or “grumble … against one another, that you may not be judged;” (James 5:8, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition) because the “judge is standing at the doors.” (James 5:9, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). This calls for strengthening our hearts and living out faith through actions of justice and kindness while awaiting God’s full plan.

In the Gospel reading from Matthew today, John the Baptist questions Jesus from prison, asking if he is the Messiah. John, who had previously recognized Jesus, may have expected a more revolutionary figure than the one performing quiet acts of mercy. Jesus tries to keep his works a secret to not conflict with Herod Antipas, until Jesus finishes his ministry on earth. Jesus responds to the questions simply by pointing to his works, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy through healing and proclaiming good news to the poor. This highlights that faith can involve questioning and that God’s methods may differ from human expectations.

The Gaudete Sunday readings encourage a shift from anxiety to joy, reminding us that signs of God’s kingdom are already evident in acts of compassion and healing. As we anticipate Christ’s full return, we are called to be both joyful and patient, actively living lives of love and justice that reflect God’s power of restoration.

So, I will leave you with this scripture, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, The Great Adventure Bible – RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition)

Stay strong with your faith and try to persevere through all hardships. And always…ALWAYS…give thanks to God!

kellym40 faith

Today’s Word: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 3, 2025

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

Luke 12:13-21

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). The Preacher, or in some translations “Qoheleth,” is a character in this book that is traditionally associated with Solomon, son of David, and he cries out these verses in the first chapter in today’s readings. I believe there is a theme running through today’s scriptures that is a powerful one to dive into.

That theme is VANITY! The character Qoheleth derives from the Hebrew word for assembly, “qahal.” So this is linked to someone who traditionally would speak in front of an assembly of people. The passage today is only four verses, however it is summed up later in Chapter 2. We find in verse 26 of the second chapter, all of human thought and effort is futile, Vanity, pointing out that with God comes true wisdom and joy. “For all his days are full of pain, and his work is a vexation; even in the night his mind does not rest. This is also vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 2:23/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). This emphasizes the point that with God comes true joy and happiness.

The Psalm reflects this idea of working and toiling away here on earth is vanity and true joy and wisdom comes from God, as it says in Verse 12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition).

The second reading today teaches us the same thing. Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians opens in Chapter 3 with “If then you have been raised, with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). He further explains to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,” and to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:2, 5/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition).

The gospel reading today reminds us to be vain or selfish. We are here to serve others, just as Jesus came to serve others. The scripture in Luke’s Gospel tells of the parable of the Rich Fool. It’s a story Jesus tells the people to be wary of covetousness, which is part of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shall not covet.” He tells one man, “Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). In the parable, a rich man has so many crops that he ends up tearing down his barns to make bigger ones in order to store all the crops. He tells himself that he has a luxurious life now and does not bother to share his abundance with others. So the Lord God says to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” (Luke 12:20/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). God is saying those who set up riches on earth for themselves have no riches toward God. 

So I believe we need to share and care for others when we can. Love others. Do good unto others. That is what Jesus did.

Now, I will leave you with this verse, “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:24-26, RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition).