Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, December 12, 2010, the Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)
- First Reading Isaiah 35:1-10
- Psalm Psalm 146:5-10
- Gospel Luke 1:47-55
- Second Reading James 5:7-10
- Gospel Matthew 11:2-11
Gospel Matthew 11:2-11
2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" 4Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
This week's sermon will be the passage from Luke, so I want to lift up the Matthew passage for reflection.
In last Sunday's sermon I pointed out that John never mentions Jesus when speaking of the coming Messiah, instead he talks about the signs that will reveal the Messiah to the whole world. "But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." You would think that the baptism of Jesus, by John the Baptist, would logically follow last Sunday's reading. Instead the lectionary skips all the way to Matthew 11:2-11.
Apparently John, who by this time has been imprisoned and is awaiting his execution, is still not sure if Jesus really is the Messiah. So he sends his followers to ask Jesus if he is the One. What John is looking for is a straight forward answer from Jesus, something like, "John, you were right all along, I am the Messiah." Instead, Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
What have you seen? What have you heard? Take some time this week to think about the ways in which Jesus has changed your life. How he has given you sight where you were blind, brought you from the depths of despair into new life, and given you good news when everything seemed to be collapsing around you. We know that Jesus is the Messiah not just because he changed the world in 33 A.D., but because he is changing the lives of those who believe in him in December of 2010. Thanks be to God!
George Tatro
Coordinating Team Meeting
For more than a quarter century, MDPC has provided food boxes for needy families. This year we will once again combine our efforts into one special day of packing and delivering 100 boxes, on Saturday, December 11 at 8 am. Each box of food costs approximately $35. Please make your checks payable to MDPC and notated "Holiday Boxes". 
Youth practice for Sunday, December 19th performance will be Sundays at 9:15 am (December 12, 19). Special practice - Friday, December 17th at 6 pm. We would like all youth to participate!
Dear Friends:
