St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the third week of Advent known as Gaudete Sunday meaning rejoice. The first reading from Isaiah, intones our call to rejoice with a wondrous prophecy in which God overcomes a variety of deficiencies. In nature the barren terrains bloom, the weak individuals are exhorted to be strong, those with disabilities experiencing social deficiency receive functional participation having been healed. This is the reason to rejoice for the transformative work of God. Do we wish to be transformed by God?

The second reading invites us to strive to build up patience, a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Waiting is the central feature of Advent. As we prepare for Christmas, we await with patience for the coming of the Lord at Parousia. Just as plants must germinate, grow and ripen in accord with the seasons, so too we, as the followers of the Lord must diligently build patience as we await the Lord’s return. Do we practice patience?

In the Gospel John the Baptist is prominently figured, while being in prison he still tried to inquire about Jesus. This means that he still enjoyed freedom to hear about Jesus’ accomplishments. In fact, recognizing the potential meaning of Jesus’ actions, John dispatches messengers to ascertain with greater certainty the nature of Jesus’ identity. At this Christmas, how do we wish to accomplish the actions of Jesus in our lives? What significant role we try to play to prepare others to attain salvation?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony