December 14, 2008 Third Sunday of Advent Is. 61:1-2, 10-11; 1 Thess. 5:16-24; Jn. 1:6-8, 19-28 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings: http://www.catholicdoors.com/homilies/2008/081214.htm    ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     Proclamation and Witness: What is the difference between proclamation and witness? Proclamation is tied to the notion of the herald, the crier who announces official news. Witness has personal and legal overtones. A witness usually had a personal connection to the events he or she related. And, in legal proceedings, a witness was bound to tell the entire truth; he or she could not withhold information.   John the Baptist is presented as God's witness, the one who spoke eternal truth in a transient world. Why did John preach? First, John witnessed about God's Light, the one who would bring truth to a darkened, dishonest world. The Baptist's role was to prepare people to receive the Light that would turn them to the light, the good, the life, etc. Second, those who heard the Baptist's witness would believe in the Light. The Baptist's testimony was the conduit of faith for the listener.   John the Baptist stood alone against the hypocrisy of his time and all time. He told the truth, because he witnessed to God's Truth, the Christ. John's message and ministry of a repentant baptism prefigured Christ's. John baptized in the spirit of hope. The baptism of Jesus realized that hope. Those baptized by John looked forward to a life with God. Those baptized by the Christ lived in God.   We are now half way through Advent. The closer Christmas comes, the stronger the pull to God and the crazier the season becomes. Anticipation became proclamation which is now witness. It's time to take stock. How strong was your witness this week? Was it personal? Was it honest?   Through his ministry, John the Baptist opened the way for Jesus of Nazareth. As Christians, we, too, prepare the way of the Lord for others. Our words, our example, our character need to be transparent, like John's. While the world may not understand us, it will never be able to charge us with duplicity or diversion. Our witness will be true and from the heart. And everyone will know who we follow, who we expect to soon arrive.   How can you be a little more honest and authentic this week? Reflect on your words, your actions, and your character. Pray and plan for this coming week.   <<   Previous: Second Sunday of Advent  | Next: Fourth Sunday of Advent >>   Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)