HOMILY FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A
Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent year A (Gaudete Sunday) Isaiah 35:1-6,10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Theme: Be a collaborator to Jesus in the restoration of Joy In the Gospel reading of today, we are told: "when John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 'Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another?" (Mt 112-3). This was a strange scenario that could spur one to ask: *Was John doubting Jesus as the Messiah? *Was John having mere difficulties in comprehending the ways and methods of Jesus? *Was John trying to convince his disciples who were jealous of Jesus and his disciples that Jesus was indeed the Messiah? Remember, John's disciples said to John:" Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him" (Jn 3:25-26). Remember, a similar question was earlier posed by the priests and Levites to John the Baptist: ...