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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, Dec. 13, 2009
By Sharon K. Perkins
Catholic News Service
December 13, Third Sunday of Advent.
Cycle C. Readings:
1) Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6
2) Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3:10-18
A couple of years ago, I was able to visit my younger brother in California, and we spent an enjoyable two days touring several vineyards in Napa Valley. As a novice wine taster, I tried different vintages and learned about the primary factors -- weather, the quality of the grape crop and the skill of the winemaker -- that make some vintage years better than others.
Historically, I've had good years, too -- and some that were not so good. Like many people, I can pinpoint certain times in my life that seemed to bring one misfortune or hardship after another. In 12 months' time during 1994-95, my husband and I both lost our jobs, my childhood home was destroyed by a tornado and I was debilitated by an acute case of postpartum depression. Caught up in our troubled circumstances, we knew a discouragement that made it difficult to see how God was present or how things would ever get better.
The readings today hold several keys to not only surviving, but thriving, in tough times: prayer, thankfulness and generosity. In St. Paul's epistle, he plainly tells us to "rejoice in the Lord always," and to "have no anxiety at all," but to offer our prayerful petitions to God with thanksgiving. In the Gospel, John the Baptist tells his expectant hearers to be satisfied with their wages and to share their resources with the needy. These were the preferred means of not only preparing for Christ's coming, but of recognizing Christ's presence in their midst.
Looking back now on the trials of 1994-95, I remember well the "crop" of challenging events and the stormy "weather" of our circumstances when it was difficult to maintain a positive attitude and proper perspective. Tough times can indeed bring despair and discouragement. But ultimately, the Lord -- the "skilled winemaker" -- is able to be present in all our circumstances, filling every year, even in times of adversity, with his grace and peace.
QUESTIONS:
When have you experienced discouragement due to difficult circumstances? In this time of preparing for the Lord's coming, how can you replace discouragement with gratefulness and joy?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord, your God, is in your midst" (Zephaniah 3:16-17).
END
Copyright © 2009 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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