THE LORD OPENS THE EYES OF THE PATIENT ONES.

The readings...

"Those who trust in the Lord are transformed by His power." [Is. 31:1-6, 10]

"Christians are called to be patient in all things for the Lord stands nearby." [James 5:7-10]

"How easy it is to be blinded from the spiritual truth when we are set in our worldly ways." [Mt 11:2-11]

The homily...

My Christian brothers and sister, reviewing today's First Reading from the Book of Isaiah, we perceive that it echoes the 23 rd Psalm.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the day so my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long."

In both of these Scriptures, we find the promise of salvation through trust in the Lord. We learn that God will transform the fearful hearts of those who trust in Him. The soul will be restored. The discipline of the Lord is comfort. The blind eyes are opened. The lame leaps. The tongue of the speechless sing in joy. The weak hands are strengthened and the feeble knees are made firm. Finally, the everlasting joy and gladness is obtained. One shall eternally dwell in the house of the Lord. What more can we possibly ask of the Lord?

In the Second Reading of this Third Sunday of Advent, we are told to strengthen our hearts and to be patient. The coming of the Lord is nearby. This does not mean that Jesus will return in year 2,000. No one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father knows when the end will come. [Mt. 24:36] It means that the Lord will come into our hearts so that we may be children of His Kingdom that is among us here on earth. [Lk. 7:21] It means that if we die before Christ return, He will be waiting for us on the other side to lead us to His eternal Kingdom.

To inherit these benefits, we are told to stop your grumbling against one another so we will not be judged. For by the judgment that we make, we will be judged and by the measure that we give, we will receive. [Mt. 7:1-2] If we show love toward others, God will reward us. If we constantly complain about the ways of others, those same complaints will condemn us.

The Second Reading ends by telling us to take the prophets of the Old Testament as examples of suffering and patience in the name of the Lord. The Third Reading from the Gospel gives us another example of a great Saint who persevered through persecution. It tells us about John the Baptist.

Here we see how the faith of John the Baptist was temporarily blinded when he endured imprisonment. We see how human nature draws people to judge by what they see, the visible, the way others are dressed in soft robes. And in some cases, even when the people see that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers being cleansed, the deaf hearing, the dead being raised, they are still spiritually blind! They do not want to accept the truth because their worldly thinking cannot explain it scientifically. They are spiritually blind. Even a good shake would not awaken them.

Today, with the approaching of Christmas, the Gospel of Matthew takes a special meaning. It tells us to change our hearts so that the mind of our spirits will be awakened. It impels us to call out to the Lord so He will open our eyes to the truths around us. It obligates us to reach out to others in their times of need. It commands us to have a gentle spirit that reflects Divine love towards others. [Gal. 5:22-23]

Total: 643 words

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