PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*:
You can also access an online -web- copy of the newsletter *Webcopy here*
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3)
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3rd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 14, 2025 (EPISODE-560 )
3rd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 14, 2025 (EPISODE-560 )
Readings for Sunday, December 14, 2025 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - A
FIRST READING: Isa 35:1-6a, 10
Ps 146:6c-7, 8-9a, 9b-10. "Lord, come and save us"
SECOND READING: Jas 5:7-10
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Isa 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)). Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring the Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Matt 11:2-11
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for 3rd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 14, 2025, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-560 (EPISODE- 560)
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This weekend is also known as Gaudete Sunday, which means in Latin, rejoice. We're still in waiting and preparation for the arrival of the Lord. His coming is even nearer, and our hearts at this time are lifted in joy and expectation, because the Lord is near.
The following hymn words inspire me in this joy and hope. Wait when the seed is planted. Wait for the rain to fall.
Wait for the restless green sprout. Wait while the plant grows tall. Hope when the sun is setting.
Hope through the dark of night. Hope though the moon is waning. Hope as we long for light.
Trust in the new spring's promise. Trust through the summer's heat. Trust in the dying autumn.
Trust through the winter's sleet. Trust in the coming Saviour. Trust in the heart's slow race.
Trust in the kingdom's dawning. Trust till we see his face. O come, Lord Jesus.
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Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near.
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The letter from St. James, our second reading this weekend, has the beautiful image of patience, being like a farmer, planting and tending to their crop. The crop grows in its own time.
It cannot be hurried, or perhaps a little bit of encouragement by the right amount of watering, the correct soil and fertilizer. But still, in the end, it grows of its own accord. The seasons, the times and conditions affect it greatly.
We do the work we can, but then we have to wait for as long as it takes, and be ready to get to work when the time for harvest eventually does come. The preaching and message style of John the Baptist is so different from that of our Lords. John preached God's imminent judgment and uprooting, and then our Lord comes along, proclaiming a time of God's favour, inclusion and mercy.
Even John had to ask, are you the one who is to come, or ought we to wait for another? But actually, both visions of God's Messiah or King are found in different parts of the Holy Scriptures. There was a bit of varying vision going on. Jesus was clearly fulfilling the image of the Lord's Anointed One in Isaiah 35.
The blind shall see, the lame shall walk, the deaf shall hear. Whereas St. John seemed to be focusing on passages like Psalm 17, also known as Psalm 18 in the Catholic numbering system, especially verses 39-40. You armed me with the strength for battle.
You humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight and I destroyed my foes. The Warrior King.
The Lord, in beautiful humility, answered the question of John without boasting, but simply referring to the evidence of the truth of what people see around him. The Lord is indeed the King, the Messiah, and he is ushering in God's Kingdom with his gospel. The gospel is proclaimed to the poor by way of concrete action, by giving life to others, practically assisting the poor, helping the injured, the suffering, the blind, the lame.
The Kingdom and all who belong to it will primarily proclaim the Kingdom by their practical actions, bringing peace, compassion, mercy and love to others. Even though John's message was challenging, John the Baptist must have been an extremely likable and charismatic figure. We're even told that King Herod, who imprisoned him for his outspoken criticism of him, nevertheless liked John the Baptist and was enthralled to hear him and loved to listen to what John had to teach and say, even though it was challenging.
Our Lord is truly the Messiah, but he wants us to let go of expectations of him and his Kingdom that are more about earthly power rather than God's mysterious and gracious ways. At many times, us humans must really try the patience of God. Here comes the Messiah, and some people say to him, you're not doing and saying what we expect the Messiah to do and say, so we're not sure if you fit the bill.
Our Lord, with infinite patience and grace replies, in effect, to all who hesitate, I am indeed the Messiah. Now, let me show you who the Messiah is and what he does. Let me show you just what the Kingdom of God and its values are really like.
Put aside your presuppositions about how you think things should be, and now let me show you how they really are. Sadly, many who spent their lives and careers building their world according to their own self-serving vision were not prepared to receive this challenging shift towards God's ways of seeing and acting. To his credit, John the Baptist and countless followers of the Lord after him did indeed open their minds and hearts to Christ's message.
Of course, if God wants to save us by mercy and grace instead of by judgment and vengeance, so be it. Who are we to question Christ? Surely God knows best. The qualities of the disciple of Christ are the qualities of God's Kingdom, which must be about giving justice to those who are burdened, compassion to those in need, helping the poor and needy in real and practical ways.
The Kingdom is about sheltering and including the stranger, the outsider, and showing real mercy, patience, respect and care, showing true care, compassion and active assistance. All who follow Christ are urged to be patient, diligent and open. In the meantime, we're called to live and practice the values of God's Kingdom, patience, reverence, hope, service, and all in harmony, avoiding complaining about one another and not getting caught up in factions or rivalries or particular disputes.
Waiting and working for the coming of the Lord who is coming to save us.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
Pilch, J. (1995). The Cultural World of Jesus. SUNDAY BY SUNDAY, CYCLE A. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.
Image Credit: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/nUBzMcQrLphpScjnINRj/john-the-baptist-baptises-jesus-in-the-river-jordan?ru=Paul-Evangelion
3rd Sunday of Advent - A (Sunday, December 14, 2025) (EPISODE- 560)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}}
My brothers and sisters, trusting in God's mercy and love, let us call to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick: Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 146:6c-7, 8-9a, 9b-10. "Lord, come and save us"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Isa 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)). Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring the Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Advent II
Eucharistic Prayer II
(theme variation: 3)
(welcome cycle- (welcome 6) Good evening/morning. Welcome to this Eucharist as we celebrate the NNN Sunday in SSSSSS. For all who are celebrating special events at this time, may God's blessing and care be deeply experienced for you and your families. Please check to see that your mobile devices are switched off or turned to silent. Our Presider tonight/today is Fr………………………… Please stand as we sing our entrance hymn: "__________" *)
(pre+post variation: v1-short)
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{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}
Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
"O Come. Lord. (Advent) HYMN" - In Memory of Paolo Mario (Paul) Giacomantonio (1968-2020).
By Paul W. Kelly. Based on the Ancient church "O Antiphons" of Advent.
Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics, By Stefan Kelk, 2020.
Quiet reflection music and hymn - Original musical composition by William John kelly (1942-2017)
Lyrics based on the Song of Praise by the Three Young Men, The Book of Daniel 3:24-9. By Paul kelly.
Arranged and sung, and with adapted lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2021
[ Production - KER - 2025]
May God bless and keep you.
Extra Text : unspoken for Advent: -
Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA.
"The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.
Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993) .+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*:
You can also access an online -web- copy of the newsletter *Webcopy here*
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PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*:
You can also access an online -web- copy of the newsletter *Webcopy here*
