Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent

• First Reading – Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a: Balaam, filled with God’s Spirit, speaks of Israel’s strength and beauty. He prophesies a future ruler, symbolized by a star and a scepter, who will come from Jacob.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: Lord, guide me in your ways, for you are my savior. In your kindness, remember me and show me your truth. You are just, teaching sinners and leading the humble to justice.
• Gospel – Matthew 21:23-27: The chief priests and elders questioned Jesus’ authority. Jesus responded by asking about the origin of John’s baptism. When they couldn’t answer, Jesus also refused to reveal his authority.

By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?

Matthew 21:23

Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent reflects on God’s guidance and how we prepare to meet Christ. Both the First Reading from Numbers and the Gospel from Matthew show us the importance of seeing God’s plan and recognizing Jesus’ authority.

• God’s Blessing on Israel: In the First Reading, Balaam speaks of the blessings that God has in store for Israel. These blessings show how God protects and guides His people.
• Seeing the Star of Jacob: Balaam’s vision of a star coming from Jacob points to a future king. This reminds us of the coming of Christ, the true King, in Advent.
• God’s Promises Fulfilled: The reading shows that God’s promises are always fulfilled, even when they seem far off. Advent is a time of waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus.
• Questioning Jesus’ Authority: In the Gospel, the religious leaders question Jesus. This shows how some refuse to see who Jesus really is, even when the truth is before them.
• Jesus’ Hidden Identity: Jesus does not answer the religious leaders directly when they question Him. This shows that sometimes God’s truth is hidden from those who are not ready to see it.
• Preparation for Christ’s Coming: Both readings point us toward Christ. Advent calls us to prepare our hearts for the coming of our King, just as the people in the readings were called to recognize God’s work.

As we reflect on these themes, we see how Advent helps us recognize Jesus as our King. Through these readings, we are reminded to open our eyes to God’s blessings and be ready for Christ’s coming.

On Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent, the readings invite us to reflect on how God guides and blesses His people, how we respond to Jesus, and how we prepare our hearts for His coming. Both the First Reading and the Gospel challenge us to recognize God’s work in our lives and trust in His plans. Advent calls us to open our hearts and welcome Christ as our King.

God’s Blessings for His People

In the First Reading for Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent, Balaam speaks of the blessings that God has in store for Israel. He sees how God is protecting and guiding His people, even when others may wish them harm. God’s blessings are not just for a moment but are promises of His care and favor over time. Balaam’s words show us that God’s plans for His people are always good.

This reading reminds us that God watches over us just as He watched over Israel. Sometimes we may not see or feel His blessings right away, but we are invited to trust that He is working for our good. Just like Israel, we are on a journey where God leads us step by step. In this journey, Advent reminds us to open our eyes to the blessings already present in our lives.

As we move through Advent, we can ask ourselves where we see God’s blessings in our own lives. Maybe we feel His protection or see signs of His guidance, even in difficult times. Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent reminds us that God is always with us, and He is faithful in giving us what we need. Our role is to trust in His care and follow where He leads.

Recognizing Jesus in the Gospel

In the Gospel for Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent, the religious leaders question Jesus, asking where His authority comes from. Even though they had seen His works and heard His teachings, they refused to believe. This shows that sometimes the truth can be right in front of us, but we may still miss it because of doubt or pride. The leaders were not ready to accept Jesus for who He truly was.

This reflection invites us to consider how we respond to Jesus. Are we like the religious leaders, questioning or doubting His role in our lives? Or are we open to the truth of who He is? Advent is a time to examine our hearts and ask if we are truly ready to accept Jesus as King. The season calls us to faith and trust in Him, even when we don’t have all the answers.

On Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent, we are reminded that seeing Jesus for who He is requires a humble heart. Sometimes, we can be stubborn or refuse to change our minds. This Gospel challenges us to let go of doubt and welcome Jesus with open hearts, ready to follow Him.

Preparing Our Hearts for Christ

Both the First Reading and the Gospel for Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent point us toward Christ. Balaam’s vision of a future leader and the questioning of Jesus by the religious leaders both highlight the need to recognize God’s work in the world. Advent is a time of preparation, calling us to open our hearts to Jesus as our King and Savior.

Preparing for Christ is not only about waiting for His coming at Christmas but also about making room for Him in our daily lives. Just as the people in the readings were called to recognize God’s work, we are also called to see where God is moving in our lives today. This involves prayer, reflection, and being open to God’s will.

On Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent, we are reminded that preparing for Christ involves more than just outward actions. It requires an inner readiness, a heart that is willing to listen and follow God’s direction. As we journey through Advent, we are invited to take time to prepare our hearts, so that when Christ comes, we are ready to welcome Him fully.

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As we reflect on Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent, we are reminded that God’s blessings are always with us and that Christ calls us to faith. Advent is a time for deepening our trust in God and preparing ourselves to receive Jesus fully. May we be ready to see Him at work and welcome Him with open hearts.

Prayer

Lord, help us to see your blessings in our lives and trust in your guidance. Open our hearts to recognize Jesus as our King. Give us the grace to prepare for His coming with faith and humility. Lead us closer to you each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• Where do I see God’s blessings in my life right now?
• How do I respond when I feel doubt or confusion about Jesus?
• What steps can I take during Advent to prepare my heart for Christ?
• In what ways can I be more open to seeing God’s work in my life?

USCCB Reflection: Servant Leadership and Genuine Authority

In a USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent, Msgr. James Vlaun shares his experience as a young substitute teacher. He emphasizes that real authority comes from being authentic and empowering others, not controlling them. Jesus modeled servant leadership by inviting people to follow Him and serving them, especially through acts like washing His disciples’ feet. Msgr. Vlaun reflects on how we are called to let Christ’s love shine through us to inspire others. On this day, honoring Saint Lucy, we ask for God’s light to guide us in humble service.

What date is Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent?

The next date is Monday December 16, 2024.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent?

The Mass readings for Monday December 16, 2024 are:
First Reading  – Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a: Balaam’s Vision
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: Show Me Your Ways, O Lord
Gospel – Matthew 21:23-27: Jesus’ Authority Questioned

What is the meaning of Balaam’s blessing in the first reading for Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent?

Balaam blesses Israel because he sees how God is protecting them. This shows us that God always takes care of His people and wants what is best for them, just as He takes care of us.

Why is the “star” in Balaam’s vision important?

Balaam sees a star that represents a future leader from Israel. For us, this points to Jesus, who is the light of the world and the King we wait for during Advent.

What does Balaam’s vision teach us about waiting?

Balaam’s vision shows that God’s promises may take time but will always come true. This helps us to be patient and hopeful during Advent as we wait for Jesus.

Why did the religious leaders question Jesus in the Gospel for Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent?

The leaders question Jesus because they do not accept His authority. This reminds us that we need to trust in who Jesus is and accept His role in our lives, even if others may doubt.

Why doesn’t Jesus answer the religious leaders directly?

Jesus doesn’t answer their question directly because they are not open to the truth. It teaches us that we need to be humble and ready to accept the truth when God reveals it to us.

How can we apply these readings to our Advent journey?

The readings call us to recognize God’s work in our lives and prepare for Christ’s coming. We can use this time to grow in trust and be more open to seeing God’s blessings and guidance.

What can we learn from the religious leaders’ failure to see who Jesus is?

The religious leaders could not see Jesus’ true identity. This warns us not to let pride or doubt get in the way of recognizing God’s presence in our lives.

How does the Gospel challenge us to respond to Jesus?

We are challenged to trust in Jesus’ authority. We should respond with faith, even when others question or doubt His role as our Savior.

How can we prepare our hearts like the people in the readings for Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent?

The readings encourage us to stay open to God’s plans and recognize His work in our lives. We can prepare by spending more time in prayer and trusting in God’s guidance.