Expectations
Third Sunday of Advent (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 3: 10-18 - The crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?" He said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He answered them, "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed." Soldiers also asked him, "And what is it that we should do?" He told them, "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages."
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Sometimes we think of Jesus’ ministry as so different from the Catholicism that we see today. Certainly, on the surface there are plenty of things that seem different. But in its essence, it is the very same thing. Listen to what John says Jesus will do: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John preached a “baptism of repentance,” but explains that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ baptism is greater because He gives people God’s divine Life.
Ultimately, the purpose of the Sacraments is to give us divine Life. The first of these Sacraments, which brings us to all the others, is Baptism. The Sacraments are our lifeline. At a minimum, we need to be attending Mass weekly and attending Confession when needed. Advent is a great time to receive the Sacrament of Penance. It is also a great time to attend a daily Mass. We need to follow the model Jesus gave us: we need to participate frequently in the Sacraments.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
