Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Third Week of Advent by Mr. Clement Harrold.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Third Week of Advent by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Third Week of Advent by Ms. Joan Watson.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent by Dr. Shane Owens.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Third Week of Advent by Dr. Scott Hahn.

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Readings
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28

The mysterious figure of John the Baptist, introduced in last week's readings, comes into sharper focus today. Who he is, we see in today's Gospel, is best understood by who he isn't.

He is not Elijah returned from the heavens (see 2 Kings 2:11), although like him he dresses in the prophet's attire (see Mark 1:6; 2 Kings 1:8) and preaches repentance and judgment (see 1 Kings 18:21; 2 Chronicles 21:12-15).

Not Elijah in the flesh, John is nonetheless sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to fulfill his mission (see Luke 1:17; Malachi 3:23-24).

Neither is John the prophet Moses foretold, although he is a kinsman and speaks God's word (see Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 6:14). Nor is John the Messiah, though he has been anointed by the Spirit since the womb (see Luke 1:15, 44).

John prepares the way for the Lord (see Isaiah 40:3). His baptism is symbolic, not sacramental. It is a sign given to stir our hearts to repentance.

John shows us the One upon whom the Spirit remains (see John 1:32), the One who fulfills the promise we hear in today's First Reading (see Luke 4:16-21). Jesus' bath of rebirth and the Spirit opens a fountain that purifies Israel and gives to all a new heart and a new Spirit (see Zechariah 13:1-3; Ezekiel 36:24-27; Mark 1:8; Titus 3:5).

John comes to us in the Advent readings to show us the light, that we might believe in the One who comes at Christmas. As we sing in today's Responsorial, the Mighty One has come to lift each of us up, to fill our hunger with bread from heaven (see John 6:33, 49-51).

And as Paul exhorts in today's Epistle, we should rejoice, give thanks, and pray without ceasing that God will make us perfectly holy in spirit, soul, and body - that we may be blameless when our Lord comes.

Lecturas:
Isaías 61, 1-2.10-11
Lucas 1, 46-50.53-54
1 Tesalonicenses 5, 16-24
Juan 1, 6-8.19-28

La misteriosa figura de Juan el Bautista, que nos fue presentada en las lecturas de la semana pasada, se nos muestra hoy más claramente a la vista. Como vemos en el evangelio de este domingo, se comprende mejor quién es Juan si se sabe primero quién no es.

Él no es Elías que ha retornado del cielo (cf. 2R 2,11), aún y cuando viste su mismo atuendo (cf. Mc 1,6; 2R 1,8) y predica el arrepentimiento y el juicio (cf. 1R 18,21; 2Cr 21,12-15).

No es Elías en la carne, sin embargo Juan es enviado con el espíritu y poder de Elías para cumplir su misión (cf. Lc 1,17; Ml 3,23-24). Tampoco es el profeta que Moisés predijo, aunque es su pariente y habla la palabra de Dios (cf. Dt 18,15-19; Jn 6,14).

Juan tampoco es el Mesías, aunque ha sido ungido por el Espíritu desde el vientre de su madre (cf. Lc 1,15.44).

Juan prepara el camino del Señor (cf. Is 40,3). Su bautismo es simbólico, no sacramental. Es un signo que se nos da para mover nuestros corazones al arrepentimiento.

Él nos muestra a Aquel sobre quien permanece el Espíritu (cf. Jn 1,32); Aquel que cumple la promesa que escuchamos en la primera lectura del domingo (cf. Lc 4,16-21).
Jesús, por medio de su baño de Espíritu y de regeneración, abre una fuente que purifica Israel y les da a todos un nuevo corazón y un nuevo espíritu (cf. Za 13,1-3; Ez 36,24-27; Mc 1,8; Tt 3,5).

Juan viene a nosotros en las lecturas del Adviento para mostrarnos la luz, de modo que podamos creer en Aquel que viene en Navidad. Como cantamos en el salmo de este domingo, el Poderoso ha venido para levantar a cada uno de nosotros; para colmar nuestra hambre con pan del cielo (cf. Jn 6,33.49-51).

Y como San Pablo exhorta en la epístola, debemos alegrarnos, dar gracias y orar sin cesar para que Dios nos haga perfectamente santos en espíritu, alma y cuerpo. De ese modo estaremos libres de culpa cuando nuestro Señor venga.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent by Mr. Clement Harrold.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Second Week of Advent by Dr. John Bergsma.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com