REFLECTION FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Every year the advertising industry invests billions in getting our attention and they have become expert at it.   One of the things they understand is that we desire constant happiness for ourselves and others.  The effectiveness of the industry, however, is not measured by human happiness or well-being but sales.  Every advert also carries a subliminal message “Spend, spend, spend” … and not just for Christmas!  In fact the industry passed the fruit of their labours in relation to Christmas over to the media months ago and are now busy working on how to encourage us take summer holidays etc..

Today’s Gospel is also centred in human happiness and well-being, but not just our own.  Through John the Baptist’s preaching we are invited to review our relationships with our personal belongings, our income provider and with persons we are called to serve.  It reminds us that a truly good life is forever tied with justice, and that we usurp our true nature each time we make god’s of ourselves.

Much of this teaching is not unique to Christianity.  Indeed I am reminded of Mahatma Gandhi’s teaching  “Live simply so that others may simply live”.  For us, however, there is a related question:  If we are not true to these demands are we being true to our baptism and our identity as adopted children of the Father?

Fr. Ultan McGoohan (Kilmore) – Taking Our Hearts to the Lord, Advent Reflections 2016