Adv3A22.  Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10.   Isaiah is reassuring those who were taken captive to Babylonia that God not only has not forgotten them but will take them from a horrid situation and make everything wondrous for them.  “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

Matthew 11:2-11.  Through his disciples, John the Baptist questions Jesus as to whether he is the Messiah or not?  Jesus replies that his miracles and his evangelizing words clearly proclaim who he is.  Jesus affirms the role of John as the precursor to the Messiah.  Despite his unique specialness here on earth, Jesus declares that John has not yet achieved the level of sanctity that those who are in heaven have attained.  The liturgy of this Sunday invites us to rejoice that without a doubt we have the Messiah, our Savior.

James 5:7-10.  It seems that it was common among the early Christians to expect that Jesus would be returning soon to collect his faithful followers.  James wrote, “Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Their impatience for that second coming led them to be impatient and judgmental toward one another.  James chides them to leave judging to the Judge Jesus.  Resting our lives in the hands of the Lord who loves us is the key to patience.