Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Bishop Larry Silva delivered a homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, addressing issues such as addiction, lack of trust among young people, and global poverty. He spoke about the continued relevance of Isaiah's prophecy in today's world and the role that baptized Christians play in carrying out Jesus' work.

In his message, Bishop Silva said: "We know that people who have an addiction to alcohol are often blind to the problem that everyone else around them can see clearly. We are aware that some young people do not trust their parents because they seem to be deaf to their real problems and desires. We know that some people are very talented, but they do not use their talents because somewhere along the line someone crippled them with harsh criticism. We are aware that some of our brothers and sisters walk about as the living dead because they are addicted to drugs or suffer severe psychoses. We know that millions of people in our world live in dire poverty, even though the world has all the resources needed to care for everyone."

He reflected on whether Jesus’ fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy continues today: "As we recall all of these realities, we might wonder whether the prophecy of Isaiah has really been fulfilled in Jesus, who did give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, restoration of mobility to the lame, and raised the dead. Perhaps we come here again and again to renew our hope that, just as Jesus did these things so long ago, he might do them again for us today."

Bishop Silva emphasized baptism's significance: "But if this is our thinking, we miss some very essential elements of what Jesus came to accomplish. It is no accident that his ministry was preceded by his Baptism in the River Jordan by John. The creature baptized the Creator. The one who called for repentance for himself and others baptized the one who needed no repentance but wanted to immerse himself in our struggle to change our lives and change our sinful world."

He encouraged believers during Gaudete Sunday: "And as we celebrate this Guadete Sunday, this Sunday of Joy, we are challenged not just to believe that Jesus did all these wonderful things in the past, but that he accomplishes them even today through us who are baptized in his Name." He highlighted community efforts such as Catholic Charities and HOPE Services and pointed out how parish activities contribute toward helping those struggling with various hardships.

Bishop Silva stated: "What Jesus accomplished when he walked the earth was the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy of Isaiah. But what the risen Jesus accomplishes today through his living Body, the Church, is no less impressive, if we allow our eyes to see and our ears to hear."

He concluded by reflecting on Advent’s meaning: "In Advent, we celebrate the fact that Jesus once came to fulfill this wonderful prophecy of Isaiah – and to remember that he is yet to come in glory, when all the work he began will be completed through us who are immersed in his love... Yes, there are still many who are blind, deaf, crippled, and poor – but we who are baptized into the kingdom of heaven are the way the risen Jesus continues to do his marvelous deeds."