Things to talk about:

• John seems to have experienced some doubt about Jesus when he was arrested for his preaching. What evidence does Jesus give that he is in truly the long-awaited Messiah?
• What would it be like to witness a blind person regain their sight or a lame person walk?
• Jesus praises the work that John has done in preparing the way for him. What is something that Jesus praises you for?

Things to do:

• Complete the crossword puzzle for this week. Click HERE.
• Look up and reflect on the 6 amazing events that proclaim the coming of the Messiah: 1. Mark 8:22-26, the blind see 2. Mark 2:1-12, the lame walk 3. Mark 1: 40-45, lepers are cleansed 4. Mark 7:31-37, the deaf hear 5. John 11:1-44 or Luke 7:11-17, the dead are raise 6. Matthew 5:1-12, the poor have the good news preached to them
• When God’s kingdom comes, there will be no more sickness or death, no more suffering or tears. What signs tell us that God’s kingdom is growing stronger?
• The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday often symbolized with the color rose or pink. Wear something pink or rose to Mass. Where do you see pink in Church today?

Closing Prayer

Sing Joy to the World!

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insight

In this 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 Jesus also 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 recall the salvation described by the prophet Isaiah. It 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. As we observe our world today, we can find glimpses of God’s work among us. We help to prepare the way for God’s kingdom by our words and our actions. This message is indeed a cause for rejoicing. Jesus is the One.

Additional key concepts for this week:

Gaudete Sunday – The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday often symbolized with the color rose or pink. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for the third Sunday of Advent taken from Philippians 4:4,5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” Gaudete Sunday is a joyful reminder that our salvation is near.

Messiah  – The literal translation of the Hebrew word mashiach (messiah), is ‘anointed’, which refers to a ritual of consecrating or blessing someone or something by putting holy oil upon it. 

In Judaism, the Messiah is the expected king of the house of David who would deliver Israel from slavery. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus, the fulfillment of our salvation and promise of our redemption.

Salvation – Salvation is a free gift from God, unmerited, made possible by Christ’s sacrifice, and infused into us by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection reveal God’s love for us and thereby save us from sin and death, and our only proper response is to return that love to God by our words and actions. In this, we find our salvation. (Catholic 101: How are we saved? Brian Strassburger, SJ. Read more…) 

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Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection