Rejoice and Be Glad
He is coming! He is coming!
How will we know he is here?
The prophet Isaiah describes his coming as a time of justice.
Jesus “secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry,
sets captives free, gives sight to the blind; raises us those bowed down”.
Jesus “loves the just, protects strangers, sustains the fatherless and the widow, and thwarts the way of the wicked."
This kingdom of God is forever through every generation.
We rejoice that in the parched land of our world today,
those who thirst will be quenched through the Incarnation of God’s Loving Presence and glad tidings will once again be shared with the poor!
Reading (Lectio)
John 1: 6-8, 19-28
Read the following Scripture two or three times.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Meditation (Meditatio)
After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions:
• What word or words in this passage caught your attention?
• What in this passage comforted you?
• What in this passage challenged you?
Prayer (Oratio)
Reading the Scripture Passage one more time. Offer a prayer of praise, petition or thanksgiving that this Advent Word inspires in you.
Contemplation (Contemplatio)
Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
How do I share my faith with the people around me?
What things keep me from sharing my faith?
I am “the voice of one crying out in the desert.”
When have my efforts to share my faith felt futile?
How does God support me when I am discouraged?
There is one among you whom you do not recognize.
When have I encountered Jesus in disguise?
When have I failed to recognize Jesus in my life?
Closing Prayer
With Mary this week, we pray:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
The Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
Listen To the Advent Hymn
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Light the third candle of your Advent Wreathe and sing out!
Rejoice, Rejoice, O Israel,
To you shall come, Emmanuel
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