HOMILY FROM CANON STEPHEN BAILLIE
3rd Sunday of Advent B20
A Bearer of Light
Last week we were introduced to John the Baptist as part of our Advent journey. We hear his story again but this time from the fourth Gospel. Light and darkness is the key theme of the fourth Gospel and in its opening verses proclaims that this light has always shone in the dark; the darkness cannot overpower it. The evangelist goes on to tell us that John the Baptist’s mission is that he has been sent by God to ‘speak for the light’. John is a light bearer, he is NOT the light, but points to the light. He is a witness to the light of God in our world, a light that cannot be put out.
We celebrate this light today on Gaudete Sunday, Gaudete which means ‘rejoice’. We light the pink candle and we celebrate with joy! As our world continues to battle this pandemic, there is much fear about. People might not feel like celebrating or being joyful. But nature shows us that Spring always follows winter. Like John, we are called to be light-bearers. To carry Christ’s love and light to those who we meet in our daily lives.
Our world needs light-bearers, especially in these winter months. It might be a good opportunity to ask today ‘Who have been the light-bearers for me in these past months?’ – the children in primary school – when I visited to see and hear their beautiful message for Advent, or the phone call from Rabbi Rueben Just to say he was thinking and praying for me, offering a message of prayer, faith and hope to our community of St Joseph’s and St Bridget’s. Or the wee lady who drops off some home-baking or the Sunday lunch
And also, ‘To whom can I carry light to this week?’ In this way we observe Christ’s ongoing presence in the world today.
Take care and look after yourselves.
Lord there is much darkness in society and in the church. We thank you that someone always comes on the scene, sent by you as a witness to speak for the light … teachers, parents, grandparents, children, a friend … they bear witness to the rest of us that somewhere in the dark a light shines that darkness cannot overcome.’
