THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
READINGS AND BREVIARY:
Mass Readings in the NJB Translation. Scroll down. Used in most English speaking countries. For some reason the site has the Gospel reading before the second reading.
Anglican Use Daily Office. ”Briefly, it is a provision for an “Anglican style” liturgy similar to the Book of Common Prayer as an ecclesiastically approved variant on the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.” More info.
SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY, PREACHING AND TEACHING:
(1) Today is called Gaudette (joyful) Sunday and the 1st, Ps., and 2nd readings explicitly mention joy/rejoicing. God is the source of our joy, bringing us to rejoice through repentance, renewal, and restoration (1st reading, Ps), which are indications of his nearness or presence (1st reading, Ps., Gosp.). We should respond by praising and thanking God (2nd reading), and offering kindness to others (2nd reading, Gosp.).
(2) Rejoicing, Giving Thanks (1st, Ps. 2nd readiongs), and Reflection (Gosp.) as proper response to God’s workings and Gifts. Prayer of Thanksgiving (CCC 2637-2638). Prayer of Praise (CCC 2639-2643).
(3). St Anthony of Padua’s Moral Concordance on Almsgiving. Gospel.
(4) St Anthony of Padua’s Moral Concordance on Doing Good Works and Deeds. Gospel.
(5) Liturgical Bible Study Guide. A series of power point slides giving the readings, historical background, commentary, reflections, Tying the readings together, homily suggestions.
(6) Doctrinal Homily Outline. Written as an aid for homilists and a resource for the faithful, this doctrinal homily outline (1) provides insights into the Lectionary readings, (2) explicates a doctrine of Catholic Faith or morals from them, and (3) shows specific ways lay persons can live these truths.
(7) We rejoice because God is in our midst showing great kindness (1st reading). This motivation for rejoicing should lead us to be kind to all (2nd reading); which manifests itself in charitable and appropriate behavior towards others (Gosp. reading).
CATECHISM SUGGESTIONS: The following links are suggested by appendix I of the Homiletic Directory published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, “with the intention of showing the link between the homily and the doctrine of the Catholic Church, references are given to the Catechism according to various doctrinal themes in the readings for each of the Sundays and Feasts of the three year cycle.”
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
LINKS PRIESTS AND DEACONS MIGHT FIND HELPFUL:
Homiletic Directory on the Second and Third Sunday’s of Advent. Art 87-95.
Catholic Liturgy and Homily Prep. Multiple resources.
Hearers of the Word: Notes on the Sunday Readings. Commentary by Catholic biblical scholar Fr. Kieran O’Mahony. Scroll down slightly to find the links to current and upcoming Sundays. The PDF documents (5 pages) are nicely done and contain very helpful background and notes on the three Sunday readings. The final page also provides brief summaries for the weekday readings. The site has other resources as well (e.g., homilies, lectures, etc.).
Agape Bible Study: Commentaries on the Sunday Readings. A comprehensive site. I’ve linked to the Sunday Readings archive page where you can access useful commentaries on the Sunday and Holy Day readings. You might also want to check out their bible studies page, it contains notes on many Old and New Testament books, along with topical studies. These could be useful for bible study groups, and the site does allow non-commercial printing and distributing of their content (see permissions).
Preachers Exchange. free e-mail and web services from the Southern Province Dominicans (O.P. = “Order of Preachers”); some also in Spanish
ePriest. To access the site fully you need to set up an account (it’s free). They offer homily packs (description here). A sample homily pack for the 3rd Sunday of lent, Year C, can be viewed here.
One Bread, One Body. From Presentation Ministries. An archive page containing links to brief commentaries on one or more of this Sunday’s readings. See their Daily Mass Reflections Page for daily resources.
Catholic Ireland. Archive page. Upcoming Sunday resources become available early in the preceding week. Contains text of Gospel reading and several homilies
COMMENTARIES ON THE FIRST READING: Zephaniah 3:14-18a.
My Notes on Zephaniah 3:14-18.
Word-Sunday Notes on Zephaniah 3:14-18a.
Navarre Bible Commentary on Zephaniah 3:14-18.
Homilist’s Catechism on Zephaniah 3:14-18.
COMMENTARIES ON THE RESPONSORIAL: Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.
Pope John Paul II’s Commentary on Isaiah 12:1-6.
St Thomas Aquinas’ Lecture on Isaiah 12:1-6.
Word-Sunday Notes on Isaiah 12:1-6.
Pending: My Notes on Isaiah 12:1-6.
Homilist’s Catechism on Isaiah 12:3.
COMMENTARIES ON THE SECOND READING: Philippians 4:4-7.
Father Callan’s Commentary on Philippians 4:4-7. On 4-9.
St Thomas Aquinas’ Lecture on Philippians 4:4-7.
Father de Piconio’s Commentary on Philippians 4:4-7. On 4-9.
Father MacEvilly’s Commentary on Philippians 4:4-9. On all of chapter 4.
Word-Sunday Notes on Philippians 4:4-7.
Navarre Bible Commentary on Philippians 4:4-7.
Homilist’s Catechism on Philippians 4:4-7.
COMMENTARIES ON THE GOSPEL: Luke 3:10-18. Suggested Themes: Almsgiving
Cornelius a Lapide’s Commentary on Luke 3:10-18.
Update 12/15/18 Father MacEvilly’s Commentary on Luke 3:10-18.
Navarre Bible Commentary on Luke 3:10-18.
Word-Sunday Notes on Luke 3:10-18.
Homilist’s Catechism on Luke 3:10-18.
PODCASTS:
Father Mike’s Introduction to Zephaniah. Introduction to all the Minor Prophets accept Amos and Hosea.
Father Mike’s Introduction to Philippians. Introduction to Philippians thru 2 Thessalonians.
Father Mike’s Introduction to Luke.
St Irenaeus Ministries Bible Study Podcast on Luke Chapters 3 & 4. Click on the POD icon or direct download here.
St Martha’s Bible Study Podcast. Looks at the readings in some detail.
Franciscan Sister’s Bible Study Podcast. I’ve linked to archive page. Studies usually become available Thursday afternoon. Looks at all the readings.
Dr. Scott Hahn’s Podcast. Brief. Does good job of highlighting the major theme(s) of the readings.
Father Robert Barron’s Podcast Homily: What Should We Do? From noted author, speaker, theologian.
Father Robert Barron’s Podcast homily: Gaudete Sunday.
Father Robert Barron’s Podcast Homily. From a noted author, speaker, theologian.
The Divine Lamp 