How do we get to know Jesus? One of the first and best places to learn more about Jesus is to turn to Scripture itself. That’s part of the reason I think that Pope Francis asked us to set aside this third Sunday in Ordinary Time to turn our attention to Scripture.

The Church’s authority comes from Christ Jesus handed down from the apostles in the examples given to us by Scripture itself.

We are not called to be pew potatoes or pew warmers – no! We are all called to serve and that begins with the people closest to us, like our family and friends, and to those we encounter each and every day.

The Baptism of the Lord that we remember today challenges each and every one of us. Are we living lives of the baptized?

I think the readings today challenge us to offer Jesus Christ our gifts just like the Magi. Jesus offered Himself for our salvation. So too, we can offer ourselves as a form of praise and worship. But how?

These three lessons about family life that we hear today are wonderful examples as we contemplate the Holy Family.

As Advent draws to a close, may we follow Joseph’s example and learn to recognize the many forms of God’s presence among us – not just on Christmas, but all the time.

So, on this Gaudete Sunday, we are reminded that we need to let Jesus purify our lives. We need to get to reconciliation and invite in the Holy Spirit. We need to give up our pain and allow ourselves to be healed. Yes, we are getting excited about celebrating Jesus’ birthday on the 25th, but we pause today to celebrate with great joy for the coming of Jesus Christ.

The message of John the Baptist is not limited to a specific point of time. His words echo across time and space and meet each of us on our journeys right here, right now. Holy Mother Church presents this reading at this time of year as a sort of splash of cold water to get our attention.

As Christians, we must be an Advent people – a people who stay awake – a people ready and prepared for the coming of our Lord.