Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2007

Reading 1, Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 Lebanon has an average annual rainfall equal to or greater than SE Minnesota (36 in./yr.), the wettest area in our state. Areas not under plow were covered with dense forests, famous for their huge Cyprus trees. The fertile Mediterranean coastal plain of Sharon, 6 to 12 miles EW and 55 miles NS, reaches from Carmel to Joppa. Today it is a covered with groves of citrus trees. Spring flowers of many varieties grow profusely in the plain. Average annual rainfall in the Holy Land decreases as one goes from north to south. Jerusalem receives up to 26 in./yr. while, less than 20 miles away, Jericho and the desert to the south receive less than 6 in. annually. As rainfall brings the desert to life, so will the return of God’s people to their land.

Reading II, James 5:7-10 As in the first reading, we read of life-giving rain. Hardly any rain falls in Israel between June and September. The rains can fall rather heavily in November and again in January through March. Farmers know this. They plant and harvest accordingly. Although celebrated independently, most Jewish festivals were initially related to this planting-harvesting cycle. James indicates that farmers, especially those with no means for extensive irrigation, have no choice but to be patient and work in accord with God’s timing. That is true of us all…we do best when we strive to discern God’s will and timing.

Matthew 11:2-11  Note that in responding to the disciples of John, Jesus quotes from today’s first reading (Isaiah 35:5-6). By the time of John and Jesus, the list of signs from Isaiah 35 were considered indicators of the coming of the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus basically tells them, “Go tell John what is taking place. He’ll be able to read the signs.” One might wonder why John received so much attention in the gospels. John’s ministry, although relatively brief, had a tremendous impact. Even after the death and resurrection of Jesus, there were probably many people who had received John’s baptism and were disciples in his tradition…people who had not yet become followers of Jesus (see Acts 18:25 and 19:3). Rather than turn these people away, the scriptural writers wanted to bring them from John to Jesus…show the greatness of John and his ministry, but show how even John saw himself as one preparing the way for Jesus.