What do you have to say for yourself?

Homily

3rd Sunday of Advent B2

17 December 2023

St. Lawrence Catholic Center at the University of Kansas

AMDG

What do you have to say for yourself?  

John the Baptist gets peppered with questions today, one after another.  He's asked - who, what, why - in rapid succession.  I just picked one for our pivotal question for the 3rd Sunday of Advent. 

What do you have to say for yourself?

John's answer is nothing, at least he says nothing for himself.   Imagine that, the greatest man born of women, according to Jesus, has nothing to say for himself.  We're always debating who's the greatest of all time, who's the true GOAT.  Jesus says John is.  Yet John, filled with the Holy Spirit, as the greatest of prophets, has full knowledge that it's not about him.  

What does John say for himself?  I am not worthy.  He says the same thing you will say as you approach Jesus, today in the Eucharist, and next week at Christmas.  I am not worthy.

John points only to Jesus.  So does Mary, in her gorgeous Magnificat that serves as today's psalm.  She says not one thing about herself, not one.  My spirit rejoices only in God my Savior, for He has looked upon the lowliness of his handmaid, and done great things for me.  

Do I want the joy of Gaudete Sunday, the grace of rejoicing always, praying without ceasing and in all things giving thanks?  It's easy.  Just say I'm not worthy.  You'll receive the grace of living for someone besides yourself.  You'll be out of the way to receive a visit from Him who alone brings true joy to the world.

+mj