Advent Reflection for December 15 – Sunday of the Third Week of Advent
Readings: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18
Readings: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18
Invitation to Prayer: There is no better use of our mind and will, of our imagination, memory, and affections, and even our bodies, than prayer.
Reflection: In this week’s gospel, we encounter John the Baptist who is preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. John’s bold preaching resonates with the Advent themes of preparation and anticipation. The crowds come to him seeking guidance, asking, “What should we do?” John urges those who have much to give to those who have little, and those in positions of power to use their authority justly. These are not abstract suggestions, but concrete, everyday actions that reflect a turning away from selfishness and a turning toward justice, compassion, and love.
John’s message also underlines the radical nature of the salvation that Christ brings. When the people ask if he is the Messiah, John humbly acknowledges that he is not, but points to the one who is coming after him. He speaks of the Messiah’s powerful presence, describing how Jesus will “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. This prophetic image invites us to reflect on the transformative power of Christ who equips us with the grace to live as faithful disciples.
In the context of Advent, this passage invites us to ask ourselves: How are we preparing the way for Christ in our lives? Are we ready to open our hearts to the transformation He offers, or are we holding on to patterns of sin, selfishness, and complacency?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the people you have put into our lives that have helped make yourself known to us. Let us be willing messengers in proclaiming Your coming to those around us.
Closing: John the Baptist’s message is as relevant today as it was in his time. He calls us to live with integrity, to care for those in need, and to make room in our lives for the transformative presence of Christ. As we journey through Advent, let us reflect on the ways in which we can make our hearts ready for the Lord and embrace the joy and peace that His coming brings.
Sean Ferguson is a Development Officer with the Stewardship Department for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He and his wife Liz have been married for 3 years and live in Independence, KY. They met through campus ministry at the University of Dayton.
Sean Ferguson is a Development Officer with the Stewardship Department for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He and his wife Liz have been married for 3 years and live in Independence, KY. They met through campus ministry at the University of Dayton.
attribution: Thomas Hawk and flickr
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