Isaiah 35.1-6a,10 | James 5.7-10 | Matthew 11.2-11

Today we begin with Mother Church the penultimate week of Advent Season, which is our preparation for the glorious return of Christ and for Christmas.

The third Sunday of Advent is special, and it is called "Gaudete," from Latin, which means "Rejoice." The reason for the joy is the nearness of Christ's return. The liturgical color is rose, which expresses this joy.

Today we light the rose candle of our Advent wreath. The darkness of sin is being driven out so that the light, which is Christ, the rising Sun, may shine.

Today the evangelist Matthew speaks to us about John the Baptist and his identity according to Jesus Himself.

John the Baptist was more than a humbly dressed prophet: he was the Precursor, the messenger sent by the Lord to go before Jesus and prepare the way before Him (cf. Isaiah 40.3).

Speaking of the Jews who lived up to the generation of John the Baptist, Jesus said that the Precursor was the greatest of all men who had ever been born. And referring to the Christians after the generation of John the Baptist, Jesus said that even the least of them would be greater than the Precursor in the Kingdom of Heaven. While the Jews and John the Baptist himself belonged to the people of the promises, the Christians would belong to the people of the fulfillment of those promises in Christ.

For preparing the way before Jesus, the Precursor had been imprisoned by King Herod. To make sure that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah, John the Baptist sent some disciples to ask Him directly.

Jesus answered them that the blind regained their sight, the paralyzed walked, the lepers were healed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised, and the poor were evangelized. John the Baptist's disciples were to tell him this.

Among the Jews, it was believed that, in the time of the Messiah, His presence would be identified by various signs and wonders. These would be the promises being fulfilled. And that is precisely what was happening through the Messiah Jesus.

In this Advent Season, as we repent and await the glorious return of Christ and the fullness of the Kingdom, let us demonstrate to the world that both are already mysteriously among us through our works of charity towards the most needy. This presence is a reason for joy for us. Like John the Baptist, living simply, let us continue to be fearless messengers who go ahead preparing hearts for Christ, for there is no other to expect, and we are not scandalized because of Him.

Today the prophet Isaiah speaks to us of the infinite joy and praise that would be in Zion from those who had seen the glory and majesty of God, from those who had been restored and redeemed by the Lord.

Isaiah is considered the "prophet of hope." He was aware of the pain and weeping of the people exiled from their land, of the loneliness, of the depressed and frightened people. But Isaiah announced the coming of God to save them. It would be vengeance for the wicked and reward for the good, who would achieve healing from illnesses and overcoming limitations.

The prophet exhorted his listeners to strengthen their weakened hands and steady their feeble knees.

In this Advent Season, let us be joyful prophets of hope, encouraging the sad and weakened and announcing the return of God the Savior, the Messiah Jesus, clothed in glory and majesty, the cause of our infinite joy and praise.

Today the apostle James speaks to us about the nearness of the Lord's coming, which requires firmness and strengthening of the heart.

James presented the farmer as an inspiration: he awaits the precious fruit of the earth and remains steadfast until the autumn or spring rain falls. The glorious return of Christ is certain. He is the rain of righteousness that will produce the precious fruit of salvation on earth. He is the judge who is at the door.

Let us strengthen our hearts, without complaining about one another, learning from the prophets - such as Isaiah and John the Baptist - to suffer patiently while we speak in the name of the Lord.

In the family and in the communities, let us await the glorious return of Christ, creating networks of respect and solidarity, as a concrete gesture of the Christmas Novena.

On the 17th, we will begin the second part of Advent Season, recalling the events that preceded the birth of the baby Jesus.

Local: Brasília - Plano Piloto, Brasília - DF, Brasil

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