First reading: Is. 61:1–2a,10–11

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God. I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

Second reading: 1 Thes. 5:16–24

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil. May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.

Gospel: Jn. 1:6–8,19–28

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

In other words

by Fr. Arlo Bernardo Yap, SVD (Catholic Trade, Manila)

“Kung gusto mong maging masaya, diretso lang. Walang liko-liko!” (If you want to be happy, straighten your ways. No more twists, no more turns). That was what I heard from a parent, advising his young son to concentrate on his studies and finish college. Because, in reality, a lot of brokenness and pain is the result of choosing many twists and turns instead of focusing on one’s goal.

It is the same thing in finding Jesus. We make our ways straight for Jesus, and he will come straight to us. When John said: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” it means that we have to make straight our way for the Lord to come straight to us.

Thus, making our way straight for the Lord’s coming means focusing on Jesus and his birth, especially this Christmas season.

In all practicality, this teaching of St. John is also expressed in our academic subject called Geometry. When I was a third-year high school student in 1973, I learned that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Thus, the shortest distance between Jesus and me is a straight way of life, no twists, no turns.

However, if I failed, made wrong turns, and made wrong decisions, I have to go back where my straight line is and mend my twisted ways. This is what St. Paul, in the Second Reading, is telling me: “Retain what is good. Refrain from any kind of evil.” And if I do the advice of St. Paul, then I can declare before the world that “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.” Here is my testimony.

A day before my birthday in 2021, together with a close friend, we went to a small Japanese restaurant in a mall. We ordered our favorite beef yakiniku, chicken teriyaki, and kakiage. While enjoying our lunch, I saw a small paper sticker on my plate of kakiage that fell maybe from an ingredient pack. I stood up and brought my plate to the cashier, who was serving some customers. I remember that very moment what Jesus said: “If your brother sins, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Then I saw a young man also in uniform standing behind the cashier. I called his attention in private, and showed him the sticker on my plate.

Then I went back to my seat. After five minutes, he followed me and said that he was the store manager. He appreciated what I told him in private and not in public before the customers. He gave me another plate of kakiage for free and another free meal when I come back. Wow! The word of Jesus really made my day. Jesus came to me because I made my way straight to him. Afterwards, with great rejoicing in my heart, the advice of St. Paul comes to me meaningfully: “In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

In conclusion, my response is: “My soul rejoices in my God” because I will always make my way straight and prepare myself for the birthday of Jesus.