First Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-18a
Responsorial Psalm (Isaiah 12)
Second Reading: Philippians 4: 4-7
Gospel: Luke 3: 10-18.
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called “Gaudete Sunday.” Today we light the third candle of our Advent wreath which is rose-colored. The color rose is intended to emphasize the theme of joy as the day of Christmas draws nearer. The word Gaudete means rejoice. It is taken from the Latin antiphon of the mass which is taken from The Letter of St Paul to the Philippians, “rejoice in the Lord again I say rejoice!” (4:4-5). While Advent is essentially a time of preparation and anticipation, for the celebration of Christmas, like Lent, it does include elements of penance and self-reflection. That is why, just as midway during Lent, the Church gives us the Laetare Sunday to remind us that joy is compatible with penance and the austerities of Lent, midway into Advent, the Church gives us the Gaudete Sunday to remind us that as we wait for the coming of the Lord, our hearts should be filled with gladness and joy.
Why must we rejoice? The first reading from the Book of Zephaniah says, “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart!” It is a call to great rejoicing because God is in our midst, and we have no further misfortune to fear.” The responsorial Psalm taken from the Prophet Isaiah chapter 12 takes up again, the theme of joy and gladness. He says, “Cry out with joy and gladness for among you is the Holy One of Israel. To the question, why rejoice, St. Paul responds in the second reading, “The Lord is near.” The nearness of the Lord is the joy of Advent.
Are you sad, troubled and going through depressing moments? Weep no more, the Lord is near. Sadness is not caused by pain or suffering. Sadness is caused by the distance we create between us and God either because of our sins, our lukewarmness or our refusal in the midst of difficulties, to look up and hold on to God who loves us with an infinite love. Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It comes from a relationship with Christ, the assurance of salvation and God’s presence in one’s life.
To be joyful is to be with Jesus. Not to be joyful is to open the door for the devil who comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. Mother Teresa used to say, ‘if the devil cannot lead you to sin, it will be enough for him to take away your joy.’ She emphasized the importance of maintaining joy and peace in one’s heart as a way to resist the devil’s influence. Lessons from the life of Saints show that joy is compatible with pain and suffering. A tourist once visited the cell of St. Teresa of Lisieux. St. Teresa of Lisieux wrote on her door, “Jesus is my only love.” This was not written in exultation but in near despair. She was crying out to her beloved when all she experienced was nothing but pain, emptiness and even darkness. She clung to the assurance of being loved by Jesus and carried lovingly in His arms. That is pure joy and faith. She teaches us to hold on to God even when everything in our experience seems to contradict His love for us and even His very existence.
When Paul wrote those beautiful words, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice,” Paul was in the prison. He knows that anxiety can quench our joy and so he tells us to have no anxiety at all, but in everything, good or bad, sickness or health, poverty or riches, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving make your requests known to God. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that make us question God’s love for us and His existence. And we question why we have to be joyful, why we have to keep praying and giving thanks. Paul understood that even in the most difficult moments, God is near and that is a cause for joy and thanksgiving.
In the Gospel today, a crowd gathered around John the Baptist and asked “What should we do?” Advent calls us to have no anxiety and by joyful, to go to the sacrament of reconciliation and cultivate a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. Finally, share what you have with others and act with justice.
Happy Sunday
Fr Chidi Onwuka, m.ss.cc.