Third Sunday in Advent - A Reflection by Fr. Leo

The words of our first reading from Zephaniah seem too good to be true.  Like Santa Clause, the Savior comes to make everything good.  Enemies are taken away, including

shame and guilt, and our God rejoices over us and renews us in love.  Better than the bank calling and saying we have canceled your mortgage.  Could it be true?

Then John comes along in the Gospel and defines the spiritual life as being honest and fair in our dealings with others. He preaches that such a life as this, not one of empty rituals, opens the door to salvation.  This salvation enters when compassion for others makes us one with others.  Joy comes when we are connected with all things, not against others in an ego driven life.

John’s baptism brings people to an authentic spirituality. Notice, this takes place in water, a symbol of life, in the Jordan river.  John and the people who seek God are not in the Temple or the Synagogue.  The old order is further removed when Jesus comes to baptize with fire.  The fire will burn away all that keeps us from union with God.

Perhaps this burning away is still happening in our young people who are very spiritual, but not involved in organized religion.  Religion for the most part has become an end in itself, an institution more human in its concerns than divine.  All our dogma cannot bring our young people to experience the living God.  However, our liturgy, with the mystical presence of God, and the people assembled seeking the mystical presence of God in word and deed, can speak to our young.

Let us realize that the God we seek is with us, and when we celebrate Eucharist we commune with God.  The transcendence in all of us becomes united and the transforming power of Christ is made present and can heal all that is broken, all that keeps us from living together in love.  Let our Amen be our recognition, consent and union with God in all things. 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful with the fire of your love.”