THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH
We are invited to hope and joy at this season of Advent and Christmas. Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete” Sunday. The day takes its common name from the Latin word “Gaudete” (“Rejoice”). The first word of the entrance antiphon of this day’s Mass: “Gaudete in Domino Semper…” which means “rejoice in the Lord always”.
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. We light the rose candle in the Advent wreath, and where possible the priest may wear rose vestments to emphasize our joy that Christmas is near.
OUR THEME
As such, the readings of today are brim-full of joy and hope with greater anticipation of the Lord´s coming. The theme of our celebration this Sunday is rejoicing in the Lord with everlasting joy.
It is an appropriate timing, the readings invite us to rekindle our joy and to animate others to do the same. We need joy and the world needs joy too, but the greatest is the Lord’s; this is why the Prophecy Nehemiah 8:10 declares: the joy of the Lord is my strength.
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 35: 1-6, 10
The prophecy Isaiah encourages the exiled Jews in Babylon to rejoice because their God is going to liberate them from slavery and lead them safely to their homeland as well as restore anything and anyone in need of encouragement, enrichment and life.
Hence, the reading resounds with words like exultations, rejoicing, blooming, singing joyfulness, gladness, splendour and glory of the Lord. Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
There is every need to animate and encourage the heavy-hearted or faint-hearted to a living and refreshing joy in the presence of the Lord because with him are the divine declarations of abundance, recompense and redemption.
SECOND READING: JAMES 5:7-10
There is joy and excitement in waiting and anticipating the Lord who comes and who is born to us at Christmas. This is the basis of surviving will against all odds, and not giving up or giving in to the seeming hopelessness we face. James. 5: 7-10.
Saint James speaks about the fundamental Christian virtue, namely, patience. Patience is certainly connected to love since most often patience has to do with our dealings with others.
We need patience with situations as well, be they matters of health, our future, our studies, our work, the weather, authorities, and whatever. We all need patience “never to despair of God’s mercy.” Every spiritual and human journey requires a strong dose of patience to overcome all odds and obstacles.
THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 11: 2-11
The Good news is the joyful tidings we carry or bring to the downtrodden like John the Baptist. Jesus knew this very well which is why his response to John’s desperate question was: the blind see; the lame walk; lepers are cleansed; the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
Above all, blessedness is the one who is not discouraged or disappointed in Him when his or her world and everything is upside-down. Mt.11:2-11
In other words, Jesus encourages John the Baptist in prison to rejoice with a message of Jesus’ healing and preaching ministry as the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah.
The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hears, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.
Secondly, Jesus’ testimony of John the Baptist as the greatest of all born of a woman and an icon of solid and concrete testimony of faith and life
“ARE YOU THE ONE?”
The imprisoned John the Baptist’s question to Jesus has an undertone sense of disappointment in the expectant Messiah. It is an existential crisis of faith question. Especially, when our expectations are not met about God, religion, Church, priesthood, religious life, people and life in general.
The fundamental questions are: do you feel disappointed in God? Are there moments of scandals and deceptions with the Church, religious leaders and people? Do you feel doubtful of life that you were once very sure of?
COULD THE BAPTIST HAVE DOUBTED?
Why did the Baptist send from his prison cell that urgent question to Jesus: “Are you He that is to come?” Hadn’t John recognised our Lord as the Messiah several months previously, at the Jordan, when he proclaimed Him publicly as the Lamb of God? Did John, faced with almost certain death under Herod, have doubts or second thoughts about Jesus?
Some say no, John only asked the question for the sake of his followers, who needed confirmation of their faith from Christ himself. But if John did have doubts, it was because of the peaceful way that Jesus behaved, not at all like the violent revolutionary the Jews expected as their Messiah.
The answer to his question came when Jesus told him what God’s messenger would be like a healer of the sick, consoler of the suffering, and preacher of freedom and truth to the poor. In this way, John’s faith in Jesus was made strong, giving him the courage to protest against Herod and accept a martyr’s death.
“AND BLESSED IS ANYONE WHO TAKES NO OFFENSE AT ME.”
Jesus encourages us to be hopeful, cheerful and joyful amidst the uncertainties, doubts, pains, struggles and disappointments. Especially, when things seem slow, immovable and frustrating around us.
Christ expects us to be patient and wait on God’s ways, manner and time. If we are not patient with ourselves, others and life, we will lose peace and tranquillity. We will give up on life.
God’s ways are very much different from our ways and expectations. Hence, we are encouraged to purify images, conceptions and unreal expectations of God, others and ourselves.
Amidst the harsh and hard conditions of our daily lives in the valley of pains and tears. Our patience and endurance should produce the advent prayer: Maranatha! Maranatha!! Maranatha!!! Come Lord Jesus and save us!
In this way, even when all seems hopeless, may the seemingly darkness or dryness of life situations NEVER darken your eternal welling JOY, GLADNESS AND REJOICING in us.
In truth and honesty, let us anchor our lives and joys in Christ Jesus, our joy and our strength amidst a turbulent world of uncertainties and crises. We should ask Christ to grant us the virtue of patience to wait, endure and overcome the numerous problems and difficulties of life.
So that, we never fail to trust God or take offence in our true messianic image. Rather, it should make us instruments of encouragement to others.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, 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 job, family, marriage, politics, wars, conflicts, insecurity, health, the future, and finances, especially during the Christmas season of what we will 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 there in us and around us. Amen.
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