My Dear People, 

This is a Joyful Sunday, and the readings today indicate just that. From the prophet Zephaniah, one of the minor prophets, we find his Reading ending in a note of hope: “In the future all the nations will call on the name of the Lord, and the exile of Israel will return to the land.” (Zeph. 3:1-7). “The humble remnant of Israel that survives the wrathful ‘day of the Lord’ will find refuge in the Lord, who will comfort them.” (Zeph. 3:11-13) The Lord will renew His love for Jerusalem and come into its “midst.”  (Zeph. 3:14-18).  In the coming age of salvation, the nations will be prepared for authentic worship by being able to “call on the name of the Lord” and “serve Him.”  The humble and lowly remnant of God is saved, not just by being gathered out of exile, but by being gathered to the place of worship— the “holy mountain.”  (Zeph. 3:11-12). The prophet Zephaniah gives hope to the people of Israel, so they will not become discouraged. Zephaniah has reminded them that God’s plan for them is still in effect. They do not need to lose hope. God will restore Zion! Fear not.  

 This is a Sunday of Hope, and we connect from the Old Testament where God promised hope to the people. God had not forgotten them, and God has still a plan, as we may call it, “to restore Zion.”  This is what is referred to as the Holy mountain of the Lord. 

Then we move to the Gospel and there is a more imminent call to the people to turn to the way of the Lord. The Messiah is near. The Kingdom of God is at hand. John the Baptist is preparing the people for the Kingdom of God. Most of all, he is preparing the people to be able to receive the Messiah. They do so by repenting of their sins. So when the Messiah comes, they will recognize Him, and their hearts will be open to receive Him and accept Him. John tells the people very clearly, “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.”  Indeed, when Jesus comes it will be the age of the Holy Spirit; where people will worship, not on any special mountain nor in Jerusalem, but “in Spirit and in truth.” This is what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus gave hope to her. As a Samaritan she felt inferior to the Jews because the Jews followed the law and kept themselves from being defiled. Just as John the Baptist gives hope to the people, it also is realized in the words of Jesus who gives hope to the Samaritan woman, who was indeed a sinner. Jesus showed her that in the future she will worship in Spirit, as John predicted. 

Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Why fire? Fire is the cleansing love of God. When that love enters a person, that fire will cleanse the soul from all inordinate attraction, and will render the soul pure. It has happened in the lives of many saints who had a great zeal for the Lord. They responded with their whole lives, and made a great commitment to the Lord, to forego what was sinful, so that they could love the Lord more.  

John is telling people to begin at that moment to be fair to others, to be at peace, and be satisfied with their state in life, and not desire something they cannot have. 

In other words, a journey to the Lord and to receive the Messiah begins from the deepest recesses of the heart. There we try to eliminate anything which is not from the Lord. When we do, the Lord can fill our lives with His love in a much more powerful way. 

       Note:   We will have a penance service on Wednesday December 15th, beginning at 6 PM and ending at 7 PM. Several  priests will be available for Confession.  This is a great preparation for the Coming of the Lord.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Vincent Clemente