DECEMBER 14, 2025
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
Psalm 146
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
The Two Cousins Have Brought Us Hope
Yes, John the Baptizer and Jesus were cousins. The path to salvation comes through Jesus with Cousin John clearing the way. Remember John said in John 1:23 “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord, ‘as the prophet Isaiah said.” (John was associating himself with what is said in Isaiah 40:3.)
In our gospel passage today, Matthew 11, John who was in prison at the time, sends his own disciples to Jesus. He sends them to make clear what John was hearing about Jesus. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
Jesus replies by referencing all the signs He was performing in public. “Go and tell John what you hear and see….” (Read the passage to get the details.) Jesus trusted that John would be able to interpret what Jesus was telling him.
You see, all the miracles Jesus performed were more than mere medical cures. They were signs of divine salvation!
Jesus concludes, “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Surely, John would not take offense. John would understand the signs. And with his understanding, he would know Jesus is surely the one he, John, was preparing everyone to meet and see.
It seems this was the “hand off.” John could now stand down. His role had been fulfilled. And John could rest in peace knowing he had fulfilled his role. He had prepared the way for the Messiah. The path was made straight. The people who followed on the path John had paved can now find Jesus! And Jesus was saying, “thanks cousin. Our Father in Heaven is pleased with what you have done. Now, I got this. Now all those you have worked to lead to me may come. The little ones, who truly are the great ones who the Father is so concerned about, have the way cleared for them.”
Now, in this time, our time, what was parched land is exulted. It has been watered by the Messiah. It is fertile now. All who live on the earth may now have
hope. The way has been cleared, and evil can no longer prevail. Finding the way to the Father is not so difficult. All we need to do is walk the path as the people of God, the Church.
Thanks to the two cousins, we may live in the Hope of Salvation
Peace and blessings,
Father Bob
Father Bob
Father Bob's
Video Reflections
Each week Father Bob posts a Video Reflection on the Spiritual readings for the weekend Mass. These Videos are not intended to replace your prescence at mass each week! Much like Scripture Sharing on Thursday evening from 7 pm - 8 pm, these videos act as a point of reference to enhance your knowledge and better prepare you to participate in each weeks celebration.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
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Lord Jesus Christ
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
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This Weeks Scripture Readings
DECEMBER 14, 2025
Third Sunday of Advent
Reading I
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
they will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 146
R. (cf. Is 35:4) Lord, come and save us.
The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Lord, come and save us.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.
Reading II
James 5:7-10
Be patient, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Alleluia
Isaiah 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
"Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?"
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."
As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
"What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."