REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS!
Rejoice in the Lord always because the joy of the Lord is our strength! 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 radically the tone of our Advent celebration and preparation for the Coming our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Equally, in the liturgical celebration, the Pink candle of the Advent Wreath is lit. This signifies Joyful anticipation of our salvation now more than when we began the first Sunday of Advent. 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 preparation called “Posada” 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.
OUR THEMES
Our readings of this Sunday invite and encourage us to always be happy and joyful in the Lord. 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.
As such, the readings of today are brimful of joy and hope with greater anticipation of the Lord´s coming. Equally, the readings of today invite us to be hopeful, happy, thankful, prayerful and kind. As such, the tone of Advent changes from a penitent mood into one of joyfulness and celebration.
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 61:1-2, 10-11
Prophet Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 describes the Messianic mission of Christ: the Anointed One. A life purpose that defines him: proclaiming the Good News to the oppressed, healing the broken-hearted, ensuring liberty to captives, releasing prisoners of all kinds: spiritual, mental, physical, cultural and otherwise.
Above all, declaring to all the season of the Lord´s favour. These make salvation, righteousness, praise and joy go round.
Hence, Prophet Isaiah announces the Messianic agenda or manifestos to bring good news, proclaim liberty, release, grace, comfort and favour of the Lord to the oppressed, broken-hearted, captives, and prisoners of sins, miseries and evil.
This is a cause of great joy and rejoicing as God´s unfailing salvation and righteousness will spring among all nations in Christ Jesus through the anointing action of the Holy Spirit.
SECOND READING: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24
This is not just an admonition of St. Paul to the early Christians of the community of Thessalonica to be happy, joyful and rejoice in the Lord always. It is also a command of God for all, especially those who live in him to be happy despite the living conditions and life´s situation. The Christian life must and should always be a life of joy, happiness and rejoicing in Christ Jesus through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
St. Paul in 1Thess. 5:16-24 rekindles the fervent spirit of the early Christians as one of joy and rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving, steadfastness and perseverance in all circumstances of their life. That is how to keep the spirit, soul and body safe and sound for Christ’s coming
THE GOSPEL: JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28
The gospel text of St. John is a continuation of John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus Christ. The expected Messiah is to come into the world to save us all.
In other words, the Gospel of John 1:6-8, 19-28, teaches us that, True joy, happiness and peace of mind come from being self-contented and self-fulfilling, at the same time knowing one´s rightful place in the universe.
John the Baptist knew this and declared it publicly with no sense of self-importance or self-deception of his status, person or mission.
THE KEYWORD OF TODAY´S GOSPEL REFLECTION IS TO WITNESS.
1. John´s appearance in the desert a voice of a prophet was a surprise as well as a ray of hope for a nation that for almost 400 years the prophet’s voice had not been heard.
2. Hence, eagerly the religious leaders wanted a concrete answer from John if he was the Messiah, Elijah or one of the prophets.
3. John simply bore testimony and as such identified himself as a witness to the Light and not the Light.
4. He is the voice that cries out in the desert. A voice that calls all to repentance, reparation and reconciliation with God, others and ourselves.
5. John’s response highlights for us an important Advent theme: Jesus has already come into the world as our saviour.
6. During Advent, we pray that we will be able to recognize Jesus’ presence in our midst.
7. Advent also reminds us that Jesus will come again to fulfil the promise of salvation. We pray that we will continue to be watchful as we anticipate that great day.
SPIRITUAL JOY AND MISSION
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.
HOPEFUL AND JOYFUL FEELING OF CHRISTMAS
Oh! Come, Lord Jesus Christ! Oh! Come! We need true spiritual joy to embrace our life mission or purpose like Christ. One that brings us to discover the personal truth that transforms, heals, and makes whole our existence.
May the Advent Season be a time for us to affirm that you came so that we might have life and joy to the full. As we intensify our preparation for your hopeful, peaceful and joyful coming into our lives at Christmas. Give us the grace to forget ourselves and to remember only Christ in our service to others around us.
OUR PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Lord, the message of no anxiety but joy and rejoicing always is a puzzling one. How can we live without anxiety in life, what about our jobs, family, marriage, politics, wars, conflicts, kidnapping, insecurities about travelling, health, the future, and finances, especially during the Christmas season what do we eat, drink or wear or even where we will go? Please help us with the spirit of joy to rejoice, be kind, be thankful, and be prayerful above all the cares, worries, and anxieties in us and around us. Amen.
