December 13, 2015 - Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

First Reading  Zephaniah 3:14-18a
A savior is promised to Israel.

Responsorial Psalm  Isaiah 12:2-3,4,5-6
A song of praise to God our savior

Second Reading  Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice always because the Lord is near.

Gospel Reading
Luke 3:10-18

This Sunday's Gospel continues last week's focus on John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Christ. Recall that last week's reading described John's appearance in the desert and established his connection with the prophetic tradition of Israel. If we were to read Luke's Gospel continuously, we would learn about John the Baptist challenging the crowds who came to him and calling upon them to show evidence of their repentance. John tells his listeners that they cannot rely on their lineage as Israelites because children of Abraham can be raised up from stones. Repentance, rather, must be observable in one's actions. Here, Luke is continuing to set up two important themes of his Gospel message: the Christian faith is expressed in one's actions, and the call to salvation is extended to everyone, Jews and Gentiles.