Gospel Reflection of Third Sunday of Advent – Sunday 17th December 2017

This Sunday’s Gospel, from the first chapter of John shows how St John the Baptist resolutely and constantly points beyond himself to Christ. “He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light” (Jn 1:8). The Lord’s forerunner has no interest in personal glory or seeking attention for himself. He is passionate in encouraging everyone to prepare for and to meet Christ the Saviour. He urges his listeners to welcome Jesus, “the light of the world” (Jn 8:12). The Baptist identifies himself as “a voice crying in the wilderness” (Jn 1:23). John the Baptist is the voice, but Christ is the Word, the Incarnate Word, the saving Word, the one Word we need to hear. One could never over-emphasise the value and importance of knowing and loving Christ, “the way, the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). Jesus Christ is the joy today’s Liturgy speaks of.

The Christian life is above all a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Incarnate Word is not an abstract concept. No, “the Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14), a man like us in all things but sin. St Josemaria wrote: “He has become so small – you see a Child! – so that you can approach him with confidence” (The Way 94). To grow in holiness is to deepen in friendship, in love for our Lord. Indeed St Thomas Aquinas says that “Christ is our best and wisest friend”. We discover this wonderful reality above all through prayer and participation in the sacraments. This discovery leads us to true happiness, even in times of difficulty. This is the joy the Church proposes today on Gaudete Sunday; the joy of being loved unconditionally by the Saviour, who is coming for us.

Pope Francis challenges us precisely along these lines: “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ… I ask all of you to do this unfailingly every day” (Evangelii Gaudium 3). As with every loving relationship, love for our Lord grows through conversation and doing things together. Thus it is very helpful to have fixed moments for prayer each day, and during our daily work and other activities to speak to Him, to offer up our joys and sorrows, to ask for help or give thanks as we go from one activity to another.

Christ is the saving Word for each of us. He is also the Word we are all charged to share with others, like St John the Baptist does. Like the Baptist, we have the duty and privilege to point Christ out to others, starting with the people we meet every day. Sometimes we may feel inadequate or unworthy to do this, because we are aware of our own weaknesses and sinfulness. But once we try to be close to our Lord, even though we often have to begin again in our efforts, He will work through us for the salvation of the world. True joy is naturally contagious.

Let us ask Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception, to help us deepen in our love for her Son and to lead others to the joy of friendship with Him.