Third Sunday of Advent

Today's Mass Readings

Many of my friends, especially those with young children, have mixed feelings about the holiday season. On the one hand, they look forward to the time spent with family and friends, the anticipation of preparing and celebrating Christmas. But, they also feel overwhelmed by the pressures to buy more, or try to accomplish everything on their to-do list—and while they enjoy visiting others, it can also be more tiring than refreshing. It’s often the case that when Christmas lights and music have been around for weeks, when the actual day comes, we are spent and ready for it to be over.

The Church’s liturgy proposes an interesting reminder; the Entrance Antiphon urges us: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” The decorations, lights, and gift-giving can help, but they can also distract us. The greatest source of our joy is precisely this: The Lord is near. When you think about the tension and conflicts in our world today—near and far—it might be hard for you to rejoice. But, whatever you are feeling or experiencing, it’s worth pausing, taking a deep breath, and acknowledging His presence: “The Lord is near.”

I think we are like many people who lived during the time of Jesus, we do not recognize Him. It’s not that Jesus isn’t here, but that we don’t see Him. When the priests and Levites begin to question John the Baptist, whether or not he is the Christ, John tells them clearly that he is not. Eventually, John explains to them: “There is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me…” Who is this one whom we do not recognize? It’s Jesus. But, for our purposes, it might be worth asking: “Why do I not recognize Him?

For many people, it’s difficult to recognize Jesus, rejoice, and proclaim that “the Lord is near” because we don’t make time for silence. Silence prepares our hearts for prayer. And, it is in prayer that we open ourselves up to a relationship with God.

Your to-do list may look rather lengthy and intimidating, but take the time simply to sit with God and be still. Reflect on the great mystery of the true Light coming into the world. Then, invite Christ the Light to cast out any doubt, confusion, or darkness from your heart. For it is in recognizing that the Lord is near, that will also allow you to rejoice!

Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB