Reflection for December 14, 2025

Third Sunday of Advent (A)

Isaiah 35:1-6A, 10 | Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 | James 5:7-10 | Matthew 11:2-11

​We’re almost at Christmas! The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday—gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. It gets its name from the opening line of today’s Mass from Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always… the Lord is near.” As we light the rose candle today, the Church reminds us to be joyful and assures us that we truly have every reason to rejoice.

​Mello, a catechist, was telling his class, “When the Messiah comes, He will perform many signs.” Suddenly, Mark, a fourth grader, raised his hand and said, “Teacher, I am the Messiah.” Mello, totally confused, asked, “Why would you think that?”
Mark replied, “Because every time my dad talks to me, he always starts with, ‘JESUS CHRIST!’”

The Israelites are living in captivity in Babylon, weighed down by loss, fear, and uncertainty. Yet in this Sunday’s first reading, Isaiah dares to rejoice. He speaks of a future where everything is transformed: the dry and lifeless desert will bloom, weak hands will be strengthened, and trembling knees will be made firm. But Isaiah is not only talking about physical healing. He speaks to the heart. The fearful will be filled with courage, and those who have lost hope will rise again. Through these clear and tangible signs, the people will recognize that the true Messiah has come. And so we ask ourselves: What does captivity look like in our own lives today? What are the deserts we are walking through—moments of exhaustion, disappointment, or quiet despair? Where are our hands weak and our knees shaking? What fears keep us from moving forward in faith? Isaiah reminds us that God’s saving work is not distant or abstract. When the Lord comes, His presence brings real change. Do we believe that God can still make dry places bloom? Do we trust that He can give courage to our frightened hearts? This passage also challenges us: Are we allowing God to strengthen us only for ourselves, or so that we can strengthen others as well? When we offer encouragement, patience, forgiveness, or simple acts of kindness, we become signs of God’s renewing love. In doing so, we help turn deserts into gardens and fear into hope. In the end, Isaiah calls us to look closely and to believe deeply. Can others recognize the coming of the Messiah through the way we live? If God has strengthened our hands and steadied our steps, then may our lives proclaim that He is truly near—and that hope is alive.

One day, Lorraine was quietly sitting in the sun with Cosette, her Miniature Pinscher–Beagle mix. All of a sudden, Cosette spotted a large white rabbit calmly grazing on the lawn. In an instant, she jumped up, barked excitedly, and took off after the rabbit with total focus and determination. Hearing her loud barking, other dogs nearby joined in. Soon, a whole pack was running together—barking as they crossed creeks, climbed rocky mounds, and pushed through bushes and thorns. But as the chase went on, something interesting happened. One by one, the other dogs began to drop out. They slowed down, lost interest, and eventually stopped altogether. Why? Because they had never actually seen the white rabbit. They were only following Cosette’s barking, carried along by the noise and excitement. Once they got tired and realized they didn’t know what they were chasing, they gave up. In the end, only Cosette kept running—still locked in, still chasing. She alone had seen the rabbit. And because she knew what she was after, she ran with purpose.

How is your Advent journey going so far? Are you entering into your Christmas preparations with intention and purpose, or are you simply being carried along by the noise and rush of the season? Have you noticed small signs of the Lord along the way—quiet moments, gentle reminders, brief glimmers and whispers that encourage you to keep seeking Him? In our Second Reading, James urges us to be patient and to strengthen our hearts as we wait for the coming of the Lord. His words are meant to encourage those who are tired, discouraged, or tempted to give up while waiting. Advent, after all, is a season of joyful anticipation. It teaches us patience as we learn to recognize the face of Jesus in our everyday lives and continue His work while we await His return. So we ask ourselves: What are we truly chasing this Advent? Are we just running because everyone else is running, or have we truly seen the “rabbit”—the Lord who calls us forward? Like Cosette, may we keep our eyes fixed on Him, our hearts firm with hope, and our spirits eager. Let us keep going with joy, wagging our tails in excitement, and staying faithful to the chase until He comes.

Iris, a catechist, was worried that his students might be a bit confused about Jesus because Christmas focuses so much on His birth. He wanted to remind them that Jesus was born long ago, grew up, and is alive today. So he asked the class, “Where is Jesus today?” Michelle raised his hand and said, “He’s in heaven.” Ariel answered next, “He’s in my heart.” Then little Abby started waving her hand like crazy and blurted out, “I know! I know! He’s in our bathroom!” The room went silent. Everyone stared at Iris, waiting for his reaction. Iris froze for a few long seconds, completely confused. Finally, he asked Abby how she knew that. Abby replied, “Well… every morning my dad bangs on the bathroom door and shouts, ‘Jesus Christ, are you still in there?!’”
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John the Baptist did not live to see the full ministry of Jesus; he was executed by Herod while Jesus’ work on earth was unfolding (Luke 14:1-12). We, however, are blessed to witness the completion of Christ’s ministry. The Gospel reminds us that the Messiah has already come. Jesus is present today, active and alive through His Body, the Church. Yet He still seeks to come more fully into each of our lives. The coming of Christ and His Kingdom is made visible when the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame leap. The parched desert becomes a pool of living water, and dry land bursts into springs. So we must ask ourselves: Are our eyes open to the needs and realities around us? Are our ears ready to truly listen to others? Are our feet prepared to walk the path of peace? Have we shared the blessings and abundance we’ve received? When we live out these works of the Messiah, the “coming One” is born in our hearts. This Christmas, let us not settle for fleeting or superficial joy. Let us open our hearts fully, so that the Messiah Himself—the greatest gift—may be born within us, bringing joy completely fulfilled.

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