Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • December 9, 2022 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com Compassionate Service 228-374-5650 Bradfordokeefe.com Opening Remarks -- Image: Picture this. The visiting football team is on offense with third down and five yards to go. The home team cheerleaders stir the crowd by holding up large signs with the words, “Make Noise.” The faithful fans comply, reacting with abandon. They whistle, howl, shout, and bang noise- makers -- to discourage the opponent and inspire their team to win the game. Much of our life fits this description. We do things that give a rush with the goal of being happy and it may last for a while if the results are in our favor, but if things go the wrong way, we become sad. Happiness is results dependent whereas joy is a gift from God and a fruit (Gal. 5:22-26) of our relationship with him and service to one another. Rejoice! Now move your mind into church. It’s the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday) and a special note of joy engulfs the Liturgy. The choir begins an upbeat processional song and less than 30% of the congregation sings. The celebrant prays our opening prayer, “Lord God may we your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ, experience the joy of salvation…,” and the people respond with a weak, almost inaudible, “Amen.” Promises Delivered: In today’s first reading, Isaiah brings God’s word of hope, deliverance, strength and comfort to people well- acquainted with hardship. Held captive by their enemies and taken to a foreign land, the Jewish people had difficulty seeing God in their present circumstance. But through Isaiah’s prophetic ministry they discovered God had made the journey into exile with them, was still with them, was present everywhere and in every circumstance and heard their cries for help. Isaiah’s words assures that God breaks down walls of fear, defeat, hopelessness, loneliness, dissatisfaction and spiritual dryness. Rejoicing in the Lord -- building a strong, obedient relationship with God, and not losing sight of the hope we have in God - will quench the parched areas of our lives. Spiritually blind eyes will see, deaf ears will hear, halted limbs will leap with healing joy, frightened hearts gain strength and fearlessness, lost souls experience salvation, and joy would replace sadness and mourning. “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy” (Isaiah 35:10). How do you endure hardship? Will you doubt God’s presence in your pain or allow it to increase your hope, faith and joy? Will you embrace a ministry of serving others in their need even though you have needs of your own? Lord, Save Us! Read today’s Psalm 146. It begins with the Psalmist reminding himself that he must praise the Lord. “Praise the Lord, O my soul!” He goes on acknowledging that the Lord is his source for all good gifts and blessings. This is a good prayer model. Often, we are so wrapped up in our needs that when or if we approach God we go immediately to our give me list, expecting God to deliver according to our will and timetable. But the Psalmist sets the example that praise, honor, glory, worship, adoration, and thankfulness must precede petition when we approach the Lord for anything. The Psalm response, “Lord, come and save us,” is a hymn of one who has learned there is no other source of strength except the merciful God that hears and honors their petitions. Only God, not good luck, wishing on a star, cursing the darkness, powerful armies, animals, or weapons, can help us attain lasting joy. The concluding verses recognize the frailty of humankind in contrast to the power of God. The God proclaimed here is the one true God who has no equal and shows mercy to those who petition him in their need and therefore can always be relied upon. God desires that you and I have this same relational experience of and with Him as well. Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back. Radically worship the Lord as if He was the love of your life and your only hope of salvation. Victory: Could there be a more discouraging place to be than a prison? In today’s Gospel, John, in prison, was concerned not so much about himself but about the faith and future of the people to whom he ministered. Consequently, he sent his disciples to Jesus with the question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Were John’s efforts as forerunner to the Messiah spent in vain? Would the messianic prophecy not see its fulfillment until a few more centuries? He had to know. Jesus’ reply connects with Isaiah’s prophecy and builds on the seen and heard witness of those John sent. He assures John and us that God had never and would never abandon them. “The blind will receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor will have the good news proclaimed to them” (Matthew 11:5). This is a victory promise for those who might be tempted to give in to despair. Closing Comments and Questions: What could have been John’s confusion over Jesus’ messianic role? John viewed the Messiah to be a stern judge and powerful ruler, yet Jesus was gentle, loving, and a friend of those in need. Is it possible that we too might misunderstand Jesus’ role in our lives? Jesus wants to be in close relationship with us. Do we keep Him at a distance? He wants to heal, forgive and bless. Do we see Him as one who condemns? Jesus has the power to perform miracles for our benefit. Do we attribute our blessings to good luck or circumstance, or are we quick to give God credit for them? We continue, this Advent, to prepare for Christ’s coming. Expectation and excitement build as in the days of Isaiah and John the Baptist when they too discovered that the Lord’s words take flesh and reality through his presence and miracle working power. Have you made that same discovery? Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is retired. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 Responsorial Psalm: 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 2nd Reading: James 5:7-10 Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 Third Sunday of Advent Living joy Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries