Musings for Advent 3

Sunday, December 12, 2010
Third Sunday of Advent

Midweek Musings

Reflection by Judy Lazenby

Introduction
A note of joyful expectation marks today's worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom. Jesus points to signs of God's reign: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper, in church and in our homes, in silent reflection and in works of justice and love. We pray that God would open our eyes and ears to the wonders of Christ's advent among us.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

First Reading	Isaiah 35:1–10

The prophet describes the return from the Babylonian captivity as a joyous procession to Zion. God's coming reign will bring a renewal of creation in which health and wholeness will be restored. There is no need for fear, for God is coming to save.

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus ²it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the LORD,
the majesty of our God.
³Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
⁴Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
"Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you."
⁵Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
⁶then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
⁷the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
⁸A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God's people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
⁹No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
¹⁰And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 146:5–10

The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps. 146:8)

⁵Happy are they who have the God of Jacob ^| for their help,

whose hope is in the ^| LORD their God;

⁶who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that ^| is in them;

who keeps promis- ^| es forever;

⁷who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to ^| those who hunger.

The LORD sets the ^| captive free.

⁸The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD lifts up those who ^| are bowed down;

the LORD ^| loves the righteous.

⁹The LORD cares ^| for the stranger;

the LORD sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way ^| of the wicked.

¹⁰The LORD shall ^| reign forever,

your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. ^| Hallelujah!

Second Reading

James 5:7–10

In anticipation of the Lord's coming, Christians are called upon to cultivate patience rather than discontent.

⁷Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. ⁹Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! ¹⁰As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Gospel

Matthew 11:2–11

John the Baptist expects the Messiah to bring God's judgment upon the earth. From a prison cell, he wonders whether Jesus is the one who will do this.

²When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples ³and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" ⁴Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. ⁶And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
⁷As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. ⁹What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰This is the one about whom it is written,
'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'
¹¹Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Reflections

“Go and tell John what you see and hear….” This is the opening line from an anthem the choir has song several times over the years in response to this Gospel. It’s a very lively piece and one we often had fun singing. I’m sure I will always think of it when I hear this lesson. Our actions are always a witness to our true personalities. People will know us by what we do and say, just as Jesus wanted John the Baptist to know him by what he did and said. Let this Christmas season fill you with the Holy Spirit so that those who see and hear what we do will know Christ.

Let us pray for

Safety from the cold for the homeless

Safe travel in the weeks ahead

Safety for children in all schools

Safe return to home for members of the armed forces

Quote

Preach the gospel everyday; if necessary, use words. Francis of Assisi