December 19 2018 - Already and not yet

The third week of Advent is characterized by joy. We began the week, lighting the 3rd candle of the Advent wreath, donning the rose colored vestments, and singing, “Gaudete in Domino Semper, Rejoice in the Lord Always, For the Lord is near.”

Our joy is similar to that of Manoah and his wife. Not only did the angel announce that Manoah’s wife would bear a son after years and years of barrenness, but that child, Samson, would be especially consecrated to the Lord, and would begin the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines.

Our joy is similar to the sentiment of the psalmist: trusts that the Lord is a rock of refuge, who knows that God will give him strength to fulfill his life’s purpose.

And our joy is similar to that of Elizabeth and Zechariah. God intervened in their lives as well to bring an end to decades of barrenness, decades of shame. To an even greater degree than Samson in the first reading, their son, John, would be especially consecrated to God, and be filled with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous. What could bring greater joy to these parents?

And yet, our joy is greater still, because of the nearness of God. The Eucharistic Preface since Sunday and up until Christmas proclaims that “already we rejoice at the mystery of His Nativity”. Christ has already been born into history, and for this we “already rejoice”, yet we reflect upon these wonderful Advent scripture passages, that our understanding of the miracle, the impact of the incarnation, may deepen. And as our understanding and wonder and awe deepen, so too does our joy.

The O Antiphon for December 19 speaks of Jesus as the “Root of Jesse” who is a sign for people, before whom kings are silent, and to whom the nations make their supplications: “come to deliver us, and tarry not”.

We pray that we may know times of Advent silence, we may be fervent in our Advent supplications, and pray that the Lord will deliver us from all that keeps us from knowing him, loving him, and following him, and experiencing the joy of his presence in our minds and hearts, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.


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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That God may bring the faithless to believe in His Son and increase the faith of those struggling to believe.

For all expectant mothers and for those who struggle with barrenness and infertility, that God may grant them strength and grace.

That children and young people may seek to be consecrated to the Lord in word and deed and become instruments of Christ’s Truth and Love.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and strengthen all who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.