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THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT: Year B. December 10, 2011 Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11 1 Thess 5:16-24 John 1: 6-8, 19-28 Jean Valjean is the main character of the famous Les Misérables. It is a musical that has many wonderful songs
that keep repeating in your mind long after you have left the theatre. One scene finds Valjean standing on a darkened stage and sings, “Who Am I?” He was a poor man who has a nineteen year-long struggle
with the law for stealing bread so he could feed his sister's children. He is caught, thro Today our readings ask the same question about the Messiah. “Who is he?” Ask any second grader and the child will tell you, “He is a little baby born in Bethlehem. Mary was his mother, and his father Joseph was a carpenter. But as adults, what do we say when we are asked the question, “Who is he?” 2. Isaiah says he is the chosen one on whom the Spirit of the Lord came down. Scripture Scholars tell us that several centuries before Jesus, the prophecy of Isaiah would be referring not to “A” person, but rather to the people of Israel who were in captivity. The word of consolation was God had not abandoned them.
When Jesus appeared in his public ministry, he was proclaimed as this Messiah. The Scribes and Pharisees and even John the Baptist expected a certain type of behaviour. The Messiah should
Jesus showed us that the face of God was a face full of compassion and abounding in mercy. Instead of condemning the tax collector, sinner and prostitute, Jesus was actually sitting and dining with them. This confused John who was in prison at that time. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the One? Or should we expect another? In a word, Jesus did not fit the pattern: “Who is he?” In reply, Jesus quotes the text of Isaiah that we read in our first reading. Tell John that the lame walk, the blind see, the captives are set free, the good news is preached to the poor. In a word, in answer to your question, “Who am I?” I am the one who has been anointed by the Spirit of God. In our Gospel, we find that John started on the right track at the River Jordan. When the Scribes and Pharisees asked him, “Who are you? Are you the Messiah?” John could have easily have said Yes. John was fulfilling all the preconceived ideas of the Scribes and Pharisees. He was preaching fire and brimstone. HE was living the life that was austere He was on the right side of the law, but on the wrong side of humanity. He was still in the Old Covenant. Today once again we are asked in our hearts, “Who is He?” We are in a country built by and founded on Christian principles and values. People of other faiths have come here attracted by the strong foundations of Christian principles. My hindu, Muslim and Jewish friends wish me a Happy Christmas. My Christian friends wish me Happy Holidays. Our non-Christian friends are quite happy with our religious greetings. Our Christian leadership waters down the whole mystery of Christmas. They have shifted the focus from Christ to Claus, Santa Claus. They have exchanged the gifts of peace and joy to people of good will for gifts of Play Station and X-Box, iPads and Blackberrys. How appropriate is the verse of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. She was referring to God’s presence in the Burning Bush and the story of Moses. Earth is crammed with heaven, and every bush afire with God Those who see, remove their shoes, the rest sit around and pluck blackberries. And so if we want to truly answer that question about Jesus, Who is he? Then the letter of St. Paul in our second reading gives the way of proceeding,
And so as we celebrate this fragile season of Advent, and I am faced with the question Who is he? - I look at myself and see Where am I lame when I should walk? Where am I blind that I should see? Where am I a prisoner, that I should be set free? Who is he? Who is Jesus in my life?
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wn into prison, but escapes. He changes his name, his fortune improves, he becomes rich. He becomes the Mayor of the
town. But the Polices are still on his trail. He is about to be exposed as an escapee. In the dramatic song, he shouts, “