Gospel Reflection for Dec. 12, 2021, The Third Sunday of Advent. Written by Fr. Garry Koch and Read by Bill Staub.

On this 2nd Sunday of Advent, Father Garry Koch reminds us that we are called to repentance and go to confession. This is a time to reflect and recognize God's plan for the world and His plan in our own life.

On the First Sunday of Advent we begin a new liturgical year and we reflect on the warning of the end of times. Father Garry Koch reminds us that we must be alert and accept the challenge to bring healing, peace and mercy to a broken world.

On this last Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Christ the King Father Garry Koch tells us how Jesus rejected worldly power and didn't seek a kingdom in this world. The kingdom of God encompasses everyone who belongs to the truth, and who listens to Jesus' voice.

Father Garry Koch tells us that just like the days of the Old Testament when the prophets had to read the signs of the times, the church today must do the same. But it must be kept in context.

On this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Garry Koch echoes the need that we must be generous and charitable. We do this for our own benefit to better understand God's love and mercy for us all.

On this 30th Sunday in ordinary time, in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10, the blind man Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus to heal his blindness. Father Garry Koch tells us that Bartimaeus is an example of the desire in each of us to seek the healing and merciful presence of God.

On this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch tells us how Jesus was preparing the disciples of the cross that He would suffer. He warns them that that the same fate awaits them if they are to continue to be His disciples. Just like the disciples, we too are challenged today, to drink from the cup of His blood, and follow Him.

Father Garry Koch tells us how there are different scenarios on how Jesus calls us to be be His disciples. The idea of being a disciple is very different from the reality of living it. We must examine what holds us back from following the Lord completely.