Sunday

16 Dec 2012

Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle C Click here for all content for this cycle Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

SUNDAY SUMMARY

Zephaniah 3:14-18a The restored nation has reason to rejoice, for God is in their midst.

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 Get up and shout! Give thanks to the God who saves us.

Philippians 4:4-7 Saint Paul insists that believers have reason to rejoice at all times.

Luke 3:10-18 Those who hear and believe God seek God’s advice on how to live.

The inner word image

The inner word

What’s in your heart?

Though it was near a notable place, Ramah, where one of the matriarchs of Israel, Rachel, had died, “Ephrathah” was, as scripture tells us, virtually “too small” to be noticed. Yet, the prophet Micah says it would be the place of a new king in the line of King David.

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Exploring the word image

Exploring the word

Which way to go?

It’s a funny couple of weeks in the church. For two Sundays now Jesus does not appear in the gospels. Of course it’s Advent, so it seems appropriate Jesus remain offstage until he officially comes to us as Emmanuel. But still: How do you tell the gospel story without him?

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Homily stories image

Homily stories

Life’s little elations

In an unusual moment of foresight and planning, I ordered a $10 blonde wig online well in advance of Halloween for a costume my young daughter was planning to wear. When the wig arrived, I handed the package to my daughter to open.

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Prayers image

Prayers

Penitential Act & Prayer of the Faithful

To open ourselves to God’s joy, let us pray for forgiveness of our failings and sins.

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Homily themes image

Homily themes

Notes on the text

"Fear not,” scripture tells us. “Have no anxiety at all.” Why not? “The Lord, your God, is in your midst”; “the Lord is near.” But how: “What should we do?” Answer: “Shout for joy,” of course, and “cry out with joy and gladness”—in a word: “Rejoice!”

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Sign & sacrament image

Sign & sacrament

We can’t wait!

Today is “Gaudete” Sunday, from the first word of the entrance prayer at Mass, which means rejoice! That is what the pink candle on the Advent wreath that we light today signifies: “Be glad! Christmas is almost here. It’s not too late to prepare.”

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Quotes image

Quotes

The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything. —Julian of Norwich (1342-c. 1416)

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