Readings
Year A
- Isaiah 35:1-10
- James 5:7-10
- Matthew 11:2-11
- Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 15 [or Canticle 3]
Year B
- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
- John 1:6-8,19-28
- Psalm 126 or Canticle 15 (or 3)
Year C
- Zephaniah 3:14-20
- Philippians 4:4-7
- Luke 3:7-18
- Canticle 9
Commentary
Homiletic Directory
That master theologian of the third century, Origen, observed a pattern that contains a great mystery: whenever the Lord Jesus came, he was preceded in that coming by John the Baptist (cf. Homilies on Luke IV, 6). Thus it was that even in the womb John leapt to announce the presence of the Lord. In the deserts of the Jordan, John’s preaching heralded the one who was to come after him. When he baptized Jesus in the Jordan, the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit came down upon Jesus in visible form and a voice from heaven declared him to be the Father’s beloved Son. John’s death was the signal to Jesus to set his face on going up to Jerusalem, where he knew his own death awaited him. John is the last and greatest of the prophets; for after he speaks, the one whom all the prophets foretold comes and acts for our salvation.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
- CCC 30, 163, 301, 736, 1829, 1832, 2015, 2362: joy
- CCC 523-524, 535: John prepares the way for the Messiah
- CCC 430-435: Jesus the Savior
Sermon
“When the Shoes Come Off”
- Zephaniah 3:15, Luke 3:7-18
- Sunday, December 16, 2018
- All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Wolfeboro, NH
- Manuscript (PDF)
- Recording (MP3)
“Mic Check”
- John 1:23
- Sunday, December 6, 2020
- Christ Episcopal Church, Exeter, NH
- Manuscript (PDF)
- Recording (Youtube):