Gospel for December 15 2024 – Luke 3:10-18
Gospel Reflections for December 15 2024
A new Christmas gift idea!
Is your Christmas shopping done? If not, the Gospel suggests a wonderful and unexpected gift. Jesus speaks to three different groups of people about what they can give others.
To the crowd: If you have a lot of nice things, help those who don’t.
To Tax Collectors: Be fair, and don’t overcharge poor people.
To Roman Soldiers: Don’t use your power to intimidate people.
Jesus says they must each give what is just and due to the people they meet.
Give to the poor, real and practical help.
Give to taxpayers, fairness in assessing taxes.
Give to people under Roman oppression, restore peace and protection
This is the definition of justice …that people receive what is their due. If you steal five dollars from someone, justice demands you give those five dollars back. If you steal respect or dignity, you must restore them as well. That is all well and good.
But what if these are all new behaviors? What if it is the first time that someone helps the poor, or tax collectors are fair, or Roman soldiers ensure peace?
Now Our Lord is talking about giving the gift …of a changed life. You are offering …a new you! What a surprise gift that might be to your family and friends!
Now you have moved from justice to love, an even more profound and meaningful gift! This could include these behaviors…
While before I never noticed your needs, now I will pay more attention and offer real help.
While before I used to take advantage of your weakness, now I will strengthen you.
While before I used to start arguments, now I will bring reconciliation and peace.
While a gift under the Christmas tree can bring joy for a moment, the gift of a changed and better life for your loved ones lasts for a much longer time. I am sure your loved ones will appreciate it!
No need to go shopping for this gift of a new life. Just model your life on Our Lord. Every Sunday Mass can be your weekly lesson on how to do just that.
The birth of Jesus at Christmas adds love to our relationships, where we actively try to help make the people around us even happier and even more fulfilled.
That is a great Christmas gift!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
So true! The gift of love is a lifetime experience of transcendent joy. It changes us from the inside out. It affects our nature, our behavior, and in so doing alters, to some extent, the lives of others whom we meet.
God bless.
Kathleen
Well said.
Beautiful message, as always, Father Dave. Thank you and have a blessed Christmas and 2025.
Linda and Tom Travis
Merry Christmas!
In years past the Rose Vestments were worn on this Third Sunday of Advent as a sign of joy that we were making progress in fasting and abstinence in preparation for the Feast of The Birth of Christ. This year the emphasis has not been placed on this.
I think what the Gospel emphasizes is better now in what you mention Father in your opening statement. Faith ,Hope and Charity prevail and that is of prime importance at this time. A better World results from practicing and making real these Virtues.
A Merry and Blessed Christmas to all!
Well said!
Beautiful words Father Dave!!!The most precious gift ever given to us is our loving Jesus and He is love!!! If we live His love what a precious giving life we will have!!! loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, loveeee it!!! When Dick and I receive our precious Jesus in Holy Communion, we receive His body and blood and His loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! We must share His love with the world and make it beautiful!!! Merry Christmas!! We sooooooooooooooooooooooo love your for our precious Jesus lives beautifully in you!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Franca and Dick
Thank you!