CHÚA NHẬT 3 MÙA VỌNG B THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Ga 1, 6-8. 19-28



Có người đã được Chúa sai đến, tên là Gioan. Ông đến như chứng nhân để làm chứng về sự sáng, hầu mọi người nhờ ông mà tin. Ông không phải là sự sáng, nhưng ông chỉ làm chứng về sự sáng.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.



Và đây là chứng của Gioan, khi những người Do-thái từ Giêrusalem sai các vị tư tế và các thầy Lêvi đến hỏi ông: "Ông là ai?" Ông liền tuyên xưng, ông không chối, ông tuyên xưng rằng: "Tôi không phải là Đấng Kitô". Họ liền hỏi: "Thế là gì? Ông có phải là Elia chăng?" Gioan trả lời: "Tôi không phải là Elia". - "Hay ông là một đấng tiên tri?" Gioan đáp: "Không phải". Họ liền bảo: "Vậy ông là ai, để chúng tôi trả lời cho những người sai chúng tôi. Ông tự xưng là ai?" Gioan đáp: "Tôi là tiếng kêu trong hoang địa: Hãy sửa cho ngay đường Chúa đi, như tiên tri Isaia đã loan báo".

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.”



Và có những người thuộc nhóm biệt phái cũng được sai đến. Họ hỏi Gioan rằng: "Nếu ông không phải là Đức Kitô, cũng không phải là Elia hay một tiên tri, vậy tại sao ông làm phép rửa?" Gioan trả lời: "Tôi làm phép rửa trong nước; nhưng giữa các ngươi, có Đấng mà các ngươi không biết. Đấng ấy sẽ đến sau tôi, nhưng chính Đấng ấy đã có trước tôi và tôi không xứng đáng cởi dây giày cho Người". Việc này xảy ra tại Bêtania, bên kia sống Giođan, nơi Gioan làm phép rửa.

Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was bap_ti_zi_ng.

Third Sunday of Advent (B)

Readings

Is 61:1-2a,10-11

1 Thes 5:16-24

Jn 1:6-8,19-28

Questions for reflection

1. Who are you?

2. Do you know your roots, your true identity as God knows it?

3. Do you recognize your identity as a child of God and a citizen of heaven?

4. Do you point others to Jesus Christ by the example and witness you give to others?

Reflection

Today’s Gospel presents John the Baptist. In this passage people are asking John who he might be. They ask him if he is the Christ, or Elijah, or the prophet who is to come. John responds that he is none of these. He is the one who is preparing the way for the Lord. The people who questioned John were priests and Levites sent by the Hebrew authorities in Jerusalem. They were not sincerely seeking the Messiah,but we are. We are looking for His presence in our lives. We are looking for Him to come a second time and bring justice and peace to the world. We are looking for Him to heal the sick and to heal us. At the same time, we know that His presence is real in the world and in our lives. Rejoice, this Sunday tells us. The Rose vestments remind us that this is a time of great expectations. Rejoice Christmas is almost here. Rejoice that we do not have to wonder about Christ. We only have to question ourselves: “Are we letting Him into our lives.” Many people are seeking and hoping for something to fill their needs this Christmas. Children are looking for toys; adults are looking for gifts that express love. This is all good, but what is it that we really need? What is it that we are really seeking? We can’t be satisfied with just saying that Christmas is about Jesus. Our lives must be about Jesus. He gives us meaning, and purpose, and beauty. Rejoice in the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be a faithful witness of the joy of the Gospel and to point others to you as John did through his testimony. Amen.


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