1st Reading: from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah - 40: 1-5, 9-11
Last week, as Sunday Scriptures introduced us to the Book of Isaiah, we learned that his book was divided in 3 parts.
This week's first reading, a message of hope, comes from the 2ND part of Isaiah's Book, which leads us through the time when Jerusalem's people remained as slaves in Babylon... A time when their spirits were crushed an when all hope had vanished from their hearts.
What a sad and difficult time this time must have been!!! The perfect environment to brew depression and chaos. After being told that they were "the chosen ones", cruel destiny turns them over to the Babylonians, and from being the golden children they become the golden slaves.
How deafening must have been for Jerusalem to hear orders from the Babylonians, and yet, Sunday's reading does not reflect on the present time but instead helps us into what is next, into the time that is about to come... Sunday's story is not about the current state of affairs but instead it is about the prophecy that is about to become a reality!
The time of freedom has arrived! "Comfort my people" is God's opening statement, "their sins are forgiven."
Every piece of the puzzle is now in place, in the right place... The mountains will be leveled and the valleys will be filled, and just like the Red Sea parted at the sound of Moses command, just like that the roads will open up to the Glory of God that is about to be revealed to all the towns of Judah.
Isn't this the most wonderful message any human can hope to hear? Specifics coming directly from God Almighty!!! God Himself reassuring them, reassuring us "comfort". We, all of us, the co-heirs, the co-partners, the co-owners! This message touches us all, then and now, because our sins are forgiven! The Lord Himself has said it so!
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2ND reading: from the Letter of St Paul to Titus -
Titus was a Gentile converted to Christianism, a young man who went to work for Paul as a missionary, to the isle of Crete. Titus was left in Crete to supervise the work of the new church. The letter, addresses three important issues:
First, it reminds Titus about the type of character that he must display, especially as a result of the personality displayed by the people of Crete;
Second, Paul advises Titus of the right way of teaching the Good News, addressing each unique portion of the population in a way that would be beneficial for each group; the old men should be taught one way, the old women -who in turn would educate the young women- would be taught in a different way, and so on for the young people and the slaves;
Third and finally, Paul advises Titus about good Christian conduct... He addresses the need to be peaceful and friendly, to avoid hate, arguments and especially to avoid divisions within the ministers of the church...
The letter reminds Titus that it is thru baptism that our sins will be forgiven and that baptism is a present given to us from God's infinite mercy to His children.
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The Gospel according to Luke: 3:15-16, 21-22
The greatness of the Holy Spirit and the immense happiness that Jesus gave to His Father,Our Eternal Father, is evident in this weekend's Gospel. Jesus' importance comes afloat when God the Father descends from Heaven to tell His son about the satisfaction that the Father experiments because of His son's accomplishments. John, a very humble man, reminds everyone that he is not the one that everyone is waiting for. Instead he clarifies that "the one" is coming after Him... The one is so great that John is not worthy of even unlacing the thongs of His sandals.
God the father makes a special apparition, to reinforce to the world that Jesus is His only beloved son, the One upon He rejoices...
May we be as blessed as Jesus, in that our Eternal Father experience the same satisfaction from our actions and deeds throughout our earthly pilgrimage.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen
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