Third Sunday of Advent

Here are the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent,
December 11, 2011:

Isaiah 61: 1-2a, 10-11
Luke 1: 46-50, 53-54
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
John 1: 6-8, 19-28


There's something interesting happening with the responsorial psalm this week: it doesn't come from the Book of Psalms! Instead, it is taken from the Magnificat, the song of Mary in response to Elizabeth's words of blessing, in which Mary blesses God for using her as the means of fulfilling the eternal plan of salvation. And God's plan is one of setting things right, echoing the words of the writer of Isaiah in the first reading (and proclaimed later by Jesus as he begins his own ministry).

• What is your role in God's plan of salvation?

The topic for the Catechumenate this week is Mary.