Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. This is also called Gaudete Sunday. We are called to rejoice in the Lord (Phil 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: rejoice!). The liturgy does this by presenting St John the Baptist. The weather did it by presenting some sunshine. After days and days and days of rain, the sun is shining wonderfully this morning in Rome. We have one more week of school (again I say: rejoice!), and it would be nice if the students did not have to fight the downpour to get to the university.
Mass again with the student communities, in the Don Rua chapel. The theme of the homily, building from scripture, was the figure and witness of John the Baptist. He is always a favorite of mine, and today’s reading brings him into focus, so that we can focus on Christ ultimately. “Standing in your midst is One whom you do not recognize! It is He that is coming after me, and I am not worthy to unlace his sandal straps!” (John 1:26-27).What a great line! I heard a commentary last night on Vatican Radio, and it centered on the nuptial quality of this action… unlacing the sandal strap. The ascetic and seemingly severe John the Baptist is speaking of the Messiah in terms of the bridegroom who comes to save, in this case a young widow who is totally marginalized but who becomes bride, queen and mother (Ruth 4:8). The nuptial of the Messiah with humanity brings life and salvation. Very interesting insight and link.
This is something to look into further, certainly.
Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete!
No comments:
Post a Comment