LIVE IN JOY

We are called as Christians to live and share in the joy of the Lord. God intends us to live happily and joyfully despite the ups and downs of life. Therefore, to be joyful is to be a Christian, thus proclaiming the good tidings.

GAUDETE SUNDAY

The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called “Gaudete Sunday”.  It is derived from the original Latin text of the entrance antiphon of today’s Eucharist celebration: “Gaudete in Domino Semper” which means–“Rejoice in the Lord always.”

This changes the tone of our Advent celebration and preparation for the Coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.   

The theme or invitation is for us, to rejoice in the Lord always because the joy of the Lord is our strength!

Today, we light the pink candle in the Advent wreath, and the priest may wear a pink chasuble that symbolises joy, happiness and peace.

THE NINE DAYS OF LESSONS CAROLS (LA POSADA)

This Sunday ushers in the intensive preparation amidst the joy, happiness and gladness of Christmas. We begin the Nine Days of Nine lessons carol on the 16th of December: nine days to Christmas.

A ” Posada ” preparation in Mexico where parishes, chapels,  communities, families and friends meet to pray, sing and celebrate the journey of the Holy Family of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem while expecting the birth of Christ.

On this day and the rest of the days of Advent, our joy is more intense than when we began Advent.  Hence, we are invited to rejoice and be joyful for the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

OUR THEME

Today’s biblical texts invite us to be hopeful, happy, thankful, prayerful and kind. As such, the tone of Advent changes from a penitent mood into one of joyful celebration.

The readings challenge or command us to be joyful, rejoicing and celebrative. Christ’s coming is closer than when we began the Advent season two Sundays ago.

The readings also anticipate the nearness of our salvation and liberation from slavery to sins and the darkness of evil.

The Light of the world: Jesus Christ will shine forth to enlighten the darkness of our hearts. Hence, by divine invitation and order, we must be joyful, happy, and celebrative of this victory.

FIRST READING: ZEPHANIAH 3:14-18

The Prophet Zephaniah 3:14-18 calls and invites the people of Israel with all its inhabitants in Zion, Jerusalem and Judah to shout with joy and rejoice for the King of Israel, the Lord, is in their midst, therefore no room for sadness, fear or mourning.

Prophet Zephaniah reassures and comforts us with words like rejoice, exult, victory, God in our midst, strength, gladness, renewal, and celebration of the festival.

SECOND READING: PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7

St. Paul gave an order or a command to the people of Philippi. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I repeat, rejoice! Let your gracious kindness be known to all.  The Lord is near.

He urges us not to give in to anxiety, fear, worry, or care. Instead, we should pray and petition, with thanksgiving, to make our requests known to God to attain peace, prosperity, and joy in Christ Jesus.

THE GOSPEL: LUKE 3:10-18

The Gospel of Luke addresses some fundamental principles of life that include: happiness, joy, peace and graciousness at Christmas through the person and personality of John the Baptist.

1. There is a spiritual question we all ought to ask and evaluate in our Christian life. What should I or we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?

2. We are called or challenged to the spirit of generosity and sharing with others, particularly the less privileged. 

3. We must live an honest, fair and just life through self-contentment and living within our means.

4. We must never use our positions, privileges, or authority as a means of oppressing, maltreating or abusing people. That is, the lowly in our society. 

5. We are encouraged by John the Baptist’s simplistic life of self-recognition and self-acceptance of his God-given grace and gifts. Equally, we must have self-knowledge of our abilities and limitations in life.

6. We must bear witness to the good news of Christ and his kingdom without fear or favouring anyone or anything.

The first part of the gospel stresses that the greatest danger to the continuation of any society becomes a reality when most of its members become motivated by selfish concerns, greed and covetousness.

IN GENERAL, THE THIRD SUNDAY PRESENTS US WITH TWO PRINCIPAL IDEAS OF CHRISTMAS.

(A)   The spiritual joy that marks the Christian faith that we are waiting for the coming of the Lord, and our entry into a life of eternal communion with God.

(B)  Our advent-mission to help the needy, if we are to carry on “the project of Jesus” – the commitment he always showed to people on the margins. Practical examples of his “good news for the poor”

John’s function was to be only the preparer of the way. A finger-post pointing to Christ. Christmas is a feast of centralizing Christ at the hem of affairs in our lives, marriages, families, communities and societies as well as our Church.

OUR PRAYER

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Bestows on us the unfathomable joy, happiness, peace and grace of Christ!  It is our privilege, hope, right and duty to be joyful, rejoicing and content in this life as a preview of your kingdom to come! May we do the ONE THING that will bring us joy, happiness, peace and grace at Christmas.  Namely–we should limit sins, live honestly, be contented, and self-accept who we are in Christ Jesus! Amen! Maranatha!