Third Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; and John 1:6-8. 19-28. The Responsorial Psalm is from Luke 1 (Luke 1:46-50, 53-54).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, "Who are you?"

He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Christ."

So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?"

And he said, "I am not."

"Are you the Prophet?"

He answered, "No."

So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?"

He said: "I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, 'make straight the way of the Lord,'' as Isaiah the prophet said."

Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"

John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."

This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Third Sunday of Advent (December 17, 2017)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Third Sunday of Advent (December 17, 2017)

Community in Mission: Sweet, Beautiful, Soul-Saving Joy - A Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent (16 DEC 17)

Aleteia: Deacon Greg Kandra: Not that far from Bethlehem: Homily for December 17, 2017, Gaudete Sunday (16 DEC 17) 

The Sacred Page: Rejoice! It's Gaudete Sunday! (3th Sun. of Advent) (14 DEC 17)

The Sacred Page: Who Was John the Baptist? (The Mass Readings Explained) (11 DEC 17)

St. Paul Center: One Who is Coming: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Third Sunday of Advent

Word on Fire: Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks (Cycle B * Advent * Week 3)

Spirituality of the Readings: Holy Darkness (Third Sunday in Advent B)

In Exile: The Mystical Body (Third Sunday in Advent B
)

Let the Scriptures Speak: The Discipline of Joy (Third Sunday in Advent B)

The Word Embodied: Gaudete: Rejoice (Third Sunday in Advent B
)

Historical Cultural Context: A Different Kind of Priest (Third Sunday in Advent B)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by John Scotus Erigena (Third Sunday in Advent B
)