＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10

  Let the wilderness and the arid land rejoice, the desert be glad and blossom. 

 Covered with flowers, it sings and shouts with joy, adorned with the splendor of Lebanon, the magnificence of Carmel and Sharon. They, my people, see the glory of Yahweh, the majesty of our God.

 Give vigor to weary hands and strength to enfeebled knees.  Say to those who are afraid: “Have courage, do not fear. See, your God comes, demanding justice. He is the God who rewards, the God who comes to save you.”

  Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unsealed.  Then will the lame leap as a hart and the tongue of the dumb sing and shout. For water will break out in the wilderness and streams gush forth from the desert.

 For the ransomed of Yahweh will return: with everlasting joy upon their heads, they will come to Zion singing, gladness and joy marching with them, while sorrow and sighing flee away.

 

Ps   146   Lord, come and save us.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

James 5: 7-10 Be patient then, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. See how the sower waits for the precious fruits of the earth, looking forward patiently to the autumn and spring rains.  You also be patient and do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Beloved, do not fight among yourselves and you will not be judged. See, the judge is already at the door.   Take for yourselves, as an example of patience, the suffering of the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 11: 2-11

 When John the Baptist heard in prison about the deeds of  Christ, he sent a message by his disciples, asking him: “Are you the one who is to come or should we expect someone else?”

 Jesus answered them, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:   the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life and the poor hear the good news; and how fortunate is the one who does not take offense at me.”

 As the messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “When you went out to the desert, what did you expect to see? A reed swept by the wind?  What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? People who wear fine clothes live in palaces.  

What did you really go out to see? A proph­et? Yes, indeed, and even more than a prophet. He is the man of whom Scripture says: I send my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way before you.

 I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

READ: Today, we are celebrating the Gaudete Sunday meaning joy. A rose candle is lit, inviting us to rejoice because the Lord is near. (Jas 5:8)

REFLECT: The first reading is telling that even the wilderness and the desert will be joyful the wilderness that is wild and barren, and the desert that is so arid because of little rainfall. Life will spring from them.

There is the command to strengthen the weak and assure with the presence of God those who are afraid. There is also the prophecy that the blind will see, the deaf will hear and the ransomed will return to their land.

These things signify that somebody is coming and will make all things to happen. He will bring life and joy in his coming.

We are excited for his presence, we want to witness how these things will happen, but the second reading is teaching us to be patient. There is no time in waiting. Somebody who waits is not bound by time, only by the joy of expecting. Let us strengthen our hearts as we wait.

The Gospel is revealing that it is Jesus who is coming. He alone has the power to heal and restore those who have disability. In his presence creation is revived, and so the blossoming of the wilderness and the desert.

PRAY: The Lord is near, let us rejoice!

ACT: Prepare his way by giving a beautiful smile. Be ahead of others in doing what is good. Be contented of what you have and what you received, but continue on improving yourself.