Third Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Zephaniah 3:14-18, Philippians 4:4-7, and Luke 3:10-18. The Responsorial Psalm is Isaiah 12 (Isaiah 12:2-6).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

The crowds asked John the Baptist,"What should we do?"

He said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise."

Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

He answered them,"Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."

Soldiers also asked him, "And what is it that we should do?"

He told them, "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages."

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying,"I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.  

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Third Sunday of Advent (December 13, 2015)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Third Sunday of Advent (December 13, 2015)

Community in Mission: Five Steps to Better Mental Health - A Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent (12 DEC 15)

 

The Deacon's Bench: “What Should We Do?”: Homily for December 13, 2015, 3rd Sunday of Advent (12 DEC 15) 

 

Word on Fire: Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Cycle C * Advent * Week 3)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: What Do We Do? Scott Hahn Reflects on the Third Sunday of Advent (7 DEC 15)

CWR: The Dispatch: Joy! Anticipation! Fire? (12 DEC 15)

Spirituality of the Readings: Advent Song (Third Sunday of Advent C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Tough Joy (Third Sunday of Advent C)

The Word Embodied: Joy in the Diminishments (Third Sunday of Advent C)

Historical Cultural Context: Toll Collectors and Soldiers (Third Sunday of Advent C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Origen of Alexandria (Third Sunday of Advent C)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: Advent Commandment: Rejoice! (13 DEC 15)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Third Sunday of Advent (11 DEC 15)