Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete Sunday, December 15th

by Sr Margaret Hickey ND

Zephaniah—3:14-18; Philippians—4:4-7; Luke—3:10-18

“Let us REJOICE! Again, I say rejoice!”

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist is out preaching and is bombarded with the same question from the gathered crowds, the  tax collectors, the soldiers, and probably many others:  “What should we do?”  His answers to the questions have one theme—be just, be fair, be kind, serve the needs of others and wait in hope.  Some thought John was the Christ who was to come.  He answers very honestly, “I am not!  I have my mission which is to prepare the way for the Christ and I am doing my best as I preach to you and baptize you with water.  Another will come to baptize you with the Holy Spirit and give you much more.”  The Gospel ends:  “Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.”  He remained faithful to his mission to his death.

The Good News that John and many prophets before him taught is that Christ would come and did come and is still with us, both seen and unseen, and will never go away.  Thus, we rejoice, thus we are glad!

The first reading from Zephaniah says:   Fear not, do not be discouraged! God rejoices over you with gladness and renews you with great love and will rejoice over you!  In his letter to the Philippians, Paul also calls his followers to rejoice, rejoice!  He then encourages them and all of us to let go of those “things” that take away our ability to rejoice:  lack of kindness to others, anxiety, failure to trust in God and so much more.  Paul concludes:  “Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”   Then you will rejoice!

The time of Christmas preparation is getting shorter and many events, distractions, anxieties, and concern for various issues can take away our focus on the meaning of this Advent leading to the great Feast of Christmas.  Take deep breaths, sit in the quiet if even for a few minutes, and remember that our God is with us, always with us, no matter what happens in and around us.  Believe and Rejoice!”  Again, I say Rejoice!  Then ask yourself, “How will I rejoice today?”

For the past 19 years Sr Dorothy Rolf ND has prepared the list of writers for the Sunday Reflections.  We are grateful to all who have written these Reflections over the years. Since there are many available sources for Reflection on the Sunday Readings we will no longer prepare any to send out.