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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings: Dec. 16, 2007
By Jeff Hensley
Catholic News Service
December 16, Third Sunday of Advent
Cycle A Readings:
1) Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
Psalm 146:6-10
2) James 5:7-10
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
My friend Michael and his family endured a long, trying period of transition several years ago that parallels the admonition in this week's readings to wait patiently as the Lord accomplishes his purposes.
Michael had taken a job teaching at the University of Oklahoma's College of Law. But during his four years in that job, he commuted between Norman and Austin, Tex., where his wife and four children remained until they could finalize the family move. Most weekends, he'd make the 400-mile trek home, only to reverse his path on Sunday for a long, lonely ride back to Oklahoma. It was a hard time for Michael, his wife Mar-a and their children.
In James 5, the writer tells the Christian community to be patient until the coming of the Lord: "See how the farmer waits the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm."
The psalm points to the hope we have because it is hope in the Lord, "who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed."
These really are Advent readings, aren't they? They are all about waiting, but waiting with hope and confidence in the One who holds the future, in the One who is coming.
Also, Jesus points to the somewhat amazing nature of God's promises to those who come into the kingdom which he is initiating when he says in Matthew 11: "I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Michael's family trial didn't last forever. There was a fruition. They found Norman to be a great place to raise their four quite talented children. They became deeply involved in the faith communities there. Michael's teaching evolved into a tenured chair at the OU College of Law, with the budget to do things like hold a national conference on Catholic perspectives on American Law at The Catholic University of America in Washington. Mar-a's writing continued to prosper, and they co-wrote a book on Catholic pilgrimages.
Advent is a time of waiting, even, sometimes, of enduring, but Christmas comes. The birth of the Lord comes in this season of December, and it comes in our lives. Wait for it with hope.
QUESTIONS:
Are you in a time of waiting, of hoping for the Lord's coming into trying circumstances? Are there steps you can take for yourself, or, realistically, is prayer and patience all you can do at this point?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you" (Matthew 11:10b).
END
Copyright © 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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