Third Sunday of Advent- Year A

First Reading

Isaiah 35:1-6,10

In the day of the Lord, all sorrow and mourning will cease.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 146:6-7,8-9,9-10

The Lord will save his people.

Second Reading

James 5:7-10

Be patient, and be ready; the coming of the Lord is near.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 11:2-11

Jesus tells John the Baptist of the signs of the kingdom that are being worked through him and praises John as more than a prophet.

Background on the Gospel Reading

The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This Sunday is so named because “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for today's Mass taken from Philippians 4:4,5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” Some people mark this Sunday on their Advent wreath with a pink candle instead of a purple candle. This Sunday is a joyful reminder that our salvation is near.

This week's Gospel Reading continues our Advent reflection on the person and message of John the Baptist. Last week we heard John speak about his relationship to the coming Messiah, Jesus. This week, we hear Jesus' message to John the Baptist, now in prison, about the signs of the kingdom found in Jesus' ministry and Jesus' assessment of John's role in the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of John's arrest in chapter 14:3-12. In today's Gospel, John sends word to Jesus from prison, asking if Jesus is the Messiah for whom he has been waiting. Jesus responds by pointing to the miracles that he has worked and invites John and the other hearers to make their own determination. In his next breath, however, Jesus praises John for his role in preparing the way for Jesus. Then Jesus says that all of those who work for the Kingdom of God will be as great as John and even greater.

Jesus' message to John about the signs of the kingdom being performed recalls the salvation described by the prophet Isaiah. This passage is a reminder that the beginning of salvation is already mysteriously present to us, but also yet to be fulfilled. Salvation is already in our midst as manifest in the miraculous deeds of Jesus and in the Church. But salvation is also to be fulfilled in the coming reign of God. Even as we observe our world today, we can find glimpses of God's work among us. Even more, we help to prepare the way for God's kingdom by our words and our deeds. This message is indeed a cause for rejoicing.

Because He Lives



Celtic Worship is the name of a group of some of Scotland’s most talented folk musicians who craft worship from a unique standpoint, blending traditional and contemporary Christian music with the sounds of their native roots. Initially coming together as a one-off band for an event in 2017, Celtic Worship have since become established trailblazers in the Celtic Christian sphere; revisiting old hymnal treasures and writing new Scottish ecclesiastical music marked by the sound of their cultural and historical context. In this piece, they sing an old praise and worship favorite.

Help Aging Religious

Senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have devoted their lives to prayer, service, and works of mercy. Most ministered for little or no pay. Today, their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. Your gift to this weekend’s Retirement Fund for Religious collection helps to furnish medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Use the special envelope and place it in our one collection. Extra envelopes are available at the doors of the church. Please give generously.

The Monthly Garage Sale will be this Sunday, December 11 from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

They have many, many, Christmas items and everything is on sale.

Please stop by and do your last minute Holiday Shopping.

Ye Olde Garage will take a Christmas break from December 17 through January 1.The Shoppe will reopen on January 2.

The volunteers of Ye Olde Garage Sale wish you and your families the most Blessed and Joyous Christmas and a Healthy New Year!!

On the weekend of December 10-11, Shoes to the World will be at the church patio fundraising to provide new shoes benefiting children and homeless adults.  

A 100% of your donation will purchase NEW shoes to be distributed by volunteers to impoverished children and adults.  Many of these poor currently wear bacteria filled worn-out hand-me-down shoes.  Additionally, we are starting a project with Fr. Azam to bring shoes to people in the flood devastated areas of Pakistan.  

Please visit www.ShoestotheWorld.Org to see donations at work; this 501-c-3 non-profit works as a volunteer only organization.

Christmas Flowers Offering

Before long we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior. We want to make our church festive for our celebration of Christmas. In your packet of envelopes that we mail to you, there is an envelope marked Christmas Flower Offering. 

If you would like to make a contribution to assist in paying for our Christmas flowers, please place your donation in that envelope (or a plain envelope) and write on the envelope the names of anyone you would like remembered at our Christmas Masses. Indicate if they are deceased (“In memory of…”) or living (“In honor of…”) Place your envelope in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office or drop in off. If you use Online Giving, just put the names on a paper and put it in the collection. All the names will be listed in our parish bulletin and newsletter shortly after Christmas.

Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,

“En aquel tiempo, Juan se encontraba en la cárcel, y habiendo oído hablar de las obras de Cristo, le mandó preguntar por medio de dos discípulos: "¿Eres tú el que ha de venir o tenemos que esperar a otro?" Mateo 11:2-3. Juan el Bautista considerado cómo el ultimo profeta del Antiguo Testamento del Pueblo Judío. Juan anuncia que el Mesías ya está aquí y que es importante preparar el camino para recibirlo. ¿Pero a cuál camino se refiere? El camino que está adentro del corazón de cada persona, que lo lleva a mirar a Dios y producir frutos buenos. Pero para las autoridades religiosas y civiles esto no les agrada lo que dice Juan el Bautista y por eso es arrestado. Pero esto no detiene a Juan el Bautista, él envía a dos discípulos que le pregunten a Jesús, ¿si él es el que tenía que venir o se espera otro? Jesús les dice, "Vayan a contar a Juan lo que están viendo y oyendo: los ciegos ven, los cojos andan, los leprosos quedan limpios de la lepra, los sordos oyen, los muertos resucitan y a los pobres se les anuncia el Evangelio”. La respuesta de Jesús debe de motivarnos a nosotros también. Estamos aproximadamente 14 días del nacimiento de Jesús, el Mesías. ¿Quién es Jesús para ti? Esa es la gran pregunta para cada uno de nosotros. Que nos demos cuenta de que ningún regalo o vacaciones, nada nos puede llenar como Jesús. Todos deseamos paz en nuestras vidas, sentirnos con dignos y fuertes, sólo Jesús nos puede dar esto. Abramos nuestro corazón a este regalo que es gratis. Feliz Adviento. 

Detente

Hablemos de Juan Bautista

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866