Third Sunday of Advent, Year C, 2024

Published: December 15, 2024

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor preached the following homily at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.

Bishop Taylor

All of us are afraid of something. It is simply the human condition. What do you fear? Snakes, failure, displeasing others or making a commitment? That we might learn something embarrassing about you or your past? Some fears are irrational, but others are reasonable and often the best we can do is face them courageously.

So, it helps to remember that: 1.) the worst that could happen seldom happens; 2,) when it does happen often turns out not to be nearly as bad as we fear; and 3.) is in any event is usually not nearly as great a risk as the failure that comes with doing nothing at all due to fear.

If you go to school there is an extremely slight risk that you could be a victim of violence, but if fear keeps you from getting an education, there is an extremely high risk that you will end up in poverty. Courage is when we confront our fears, knowing what could happen, and trust in God enough to risk doing what is right; confident that if we let him, God will steer us in the right direction. Anything less is cowardice and a failure to trust in God's providence, protection and help.

The reason we light a pink candle on this third Sunday of Advent is that we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel of our fears as we see in today's Scriptures. In our first reading Zephaniah proclaims that once "the Lord is in (our) midst, (we will) have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty Savior ...'"

In our Gospel John the Baptist speaks words intended to encourage the faithful and put the fear of God into those who are not: "What should (we) do?" He says: share with the poor, stop exploiting others, speak the truth and be satisfied with what you have. When the Mighty One comes he will "gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

And in the meantime, St. Paul tells us in our second reading to be courageous: "have no anxiety at all, for the Lord is near." He will provide for us, protect us and help us do courageously what the Lord asks of us.

Every time we pray the Lord's Prayer, after praising God and his kingdom in the first half of the prayer, we then ask him in the second half to free us from all our fears:

1.) Fear of lacking the necessities of life ("Give us this day our daily bread") — meaning God will provide a way for us to meet all our needs. It may not be everything we think we want, and we may have to work hard, but God provides access to everything we truly need — spiritually and materially.

2.) Fear of our own weakness ("lead us not into temptation") — meaning God can turn our weaknesses into strengths. This requires, obviously, our own efforts to avoid the near occasions of sin — situations where we are likely to lead ourselves into sin, especially in areas where we have failed repeatedly in the past. And,

3.) Fear of all that could do us harm ("deliver us from evil, Amen!") — meaning that (a) God has broken the power of evil, (b) God can bring good out of evil: evil we have suffered and the negative consequences of our own sins, and (c) God will protect us from utter destruction which is the eternal destiny of those who give themselves over to evil.

So, during Mass I respond to your words in the Lord's Prayer with a prayer that reminds us of the hope represented by the pink candle that shines brightly today: "Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ." So, what are you afraid of? It can't be anything greater than the power that God gives us to confront our fears and overcome them!