Download Bulletin 11th December 2022
Deacon George’s Homily for 3rd Sunday of Advent
John the Baptist has openly denounced Herod because he had divorced his own wife and married his brother’s wife, Herodias. Herod had John thrown into Machaerus, a fortress east of the Dead Sea. And we know that John is not released from prison except for his head on a plate for Herod. John the Baptist is confused because he preached that the One, would come as a strict judge who would bring a fiery judgement, a dispenser of wrath from whom people would have to flee. Instead, he hears that Jesus heals the sick, blesses the gentle and peacemakers; Jesus tells people to not judge each other but indeed love their enemies; and Jesus does not require his disciples to fast like John’s disciples do. Jesus’ Messiahship is a world away from that imagined by John…..