Bring Good News to the Oppressed

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Bring Good News to the Oppressed

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Gospel: John 1:6-8,19-28

Today’s readings shine out with joy and hope. This is not a joyousness without responsibility. It’s a joy that is found when people find and carry out their true mission in life.

Advent is a good time to reclaim our fundamental identity, our Christ-linked identity. If Jesus is to be born anywhere today, it will be in the hearts of his followers.

In this last stretch of the Season of Advent, we entrust ourselves to the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary. She is the “cause of our joy,” not only because she generated Jesus, but because she sends us continually to Him.