⇐ Year B - Third Sunday of Advent (b)⇒


Prisoners Exercising
Vincent van Gogh, 1890

My dear friends,

The Hebrew Bible reading for the third Sunday of Advent comes from the Book of Isaiah, in the section called the "Third Isaiah", addressed to the returnees to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity. This reading from Isaiah is rich with spiritual lessons, emphasizing themes of liberation, compassion, renewal, and justice.

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring
good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,...
- Isaiah 61:1

This opening proclamation reminds us of the Bodhisattva's vow: to be empowered not for personal gain, but to act for the benefit of others. Just as Isaiah is anointed, we too are called to awaken the spirit of love and wisdom within ourselves, dedicating our lives to the service of all beings.

...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion,
to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
- Isaiah 61:2-3a

This transformation—from mourning to joy, from ashes to beauty—calls us to the practice of compassion in action. We are invited to exchange the suffering of others for the joy of healing and to become vessels of divine love that uplift and renew.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
- Isaiah 61:3b-4

The work of building and repairing reflects a dedication to restoring harmony in the world. Whether it is rebuilding a shattered heart or a fractured community, these acts of renewal are sacred offerings.

For I, the LORD, love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing;...
- Isaiah 61:8a

A love for justice requires us to act with integrity, ensuring our efforts are rooted in fairness and compassion, eschewing wrongdoing in ourselves and working to prevent and remedy the effects of wrongdoing by others.

... I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.
- Isaiah 61:8b-9

Through acts of kindness and justice, we may contribute to the flourishing of future generations, ensuring that they too may experience the blessings of peace and joy.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my whole being shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
- Isaiah 61:10

These lines remind us of the joy to be found in the practice of virtue. This joy is not merely personal but radiates outward, inspiring others to join in the work of righteousness and love.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
- Isaiah 61:11

This vision of righteousness springing forth like a garden reminds us of the seeds we plant through our virtuous actions. We trust that these seeds will bear fruit, bringing peace and justice to all nations.

May these words inspire us to live as bearers of hope, proclaiming freedom, healing, and justice in our world, as we prepare for the coming of divine love into our midst.