Sunday December 14, 2025
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (GAUDETE)
The readings will be as follows:
*1st Reading: (Isaiah 35:1-6a.10)*
*RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 146:6c-7.8-9a.9bc—10 (R. cf. 1s 35:4)*
*2nd Reading: (James 5:7-10)*
*Gospel Reading: *(Matthew 11:2-11)*
```LESSON 4️⃣ (BOOK OF PSALM)```
*From the Responsorial Psalm (Chp 146)*
_it is the Lord... (v6)_
We're encouraged here to trust God in all circumstances because he is capable. He's done it before and will do it again.
He's done it for the oppressed. He's done it for the hungry. He's done it for the prisoners. He's done it for the orphans and the blinds. Will he not do it for you?
He's done it for the just and even the stranger. In the eyes of God we're one. You're not less valuable. Your time has not yet come. While you wait in hope for his coming, remain steadfast in faith and confidence in his promise for he's coming to save you. While we rejoice, we must also hope and trust in him. See you in the next lesson
Uzo Josephine Chika
Patience is a virtue...
Don't say; since I came of the age of reasoning, I have been hearing the kingdom of God is at hand, till today... Why hasn't the kingdom of God come?
I tell you today the kingdom of God will come when we least expect...
All we need to do is to be patient and keep holding up to our faith in God!
Martha Onuh
*God himself will come and save us*
As we reflect on the third Sunday of Advent, I see a message of hope as the first reading from the prophecy of Isaiah tells us that "the wilderness and the dry land shall be glad and the desert shall rejoice and blossom". This gives us hope and consolation in the coming of our Messiah, it assures us that when he comes sorrow shall be no more.
But the question is; *Are you ready for this coming?* St. Paul encourages us in the second reading to be patient as the lord's coming is at hand. What are you doing today to prepare yourself for his coming? How are you living today to prepare for his coming? What are you giving up in preparation for his coming?
As Christmas draws nearer may God help us to prepare well not just materially but to also prepare our hearts 🙏
MY REFLECTION
Jesus is recognizing how truly great John the Baptist was his courage, his role as the forerunner of Christ, his dedication, and how he stood firmly for truth. Among all those “born of women” meaning, ordinary human birth John stands out as exceptional.
But then Jesus says, “yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
That’s the twist.
It’s not a disrespect to John. Rather, it’s Jesus highlighting how the *kingdom of heaven* the new spiritual reality He came to establish operates on a higher level. John lived under the old covenant, pointing *towards* the Messiah. But those who receive and live in the reality of the kingdom, no matter how “small” they seem, are part of something far greater a new covenant, grace, salvation through Christ.
Jesus isn’t comparing worth. He’s showing that the privilege of living in the fulfilled promise in relationship with God through Christ is even greater than the highest status under the old law.
It’s humbling and hopeful. Even when you feel insignificant, in Christ, you’re part of something greater than even the greatest before Him.
Evang Jeremiah Onwukaobi
*PATIENCE IN WAITING*
This second reading gives us a beautiful illustration why we must wait in patience.
Whatever we do in life requires the virtue of patience, for without it, we grow weary and loose both faith and hope.
Here St Paul admonishes us to *"Establish our hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand"*
This patience makes us understand that, as long as we wait in expectation and in joyful hope, God would surely accomplish His promises in our lives.
As Christmas draws nigh, Jesus is ever present; but desires us to always prepare our hearts for His second coming, whichever way He wishes to come to us.
In this joyful season, may God fill us with heavenly joy as He finds us waiting eagerly for the appearance of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
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