Third Sunday of Advent
Scripture Readings
We are mid-way through Advent. And my question to you is, “How is it going?” The first Sunday, I invited all of us to step-back, examine our lives and ask God for a renewal. Last Sunday, I suggested that the God was offering us comfort, a challenge and a responsibility. It is my hope that each of us is preparing, as John the Baptist would say, a highway for our God. And so I am asking you again. “How is it going?” The answer to the question can either take us deeply or superficially into the message of the God’s word in this third week of Advent.
The third Sunday of Advent is always Gaudate Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. As I reflected upon these readings, it was clear that the first two readings talk about joy. Isaiah, for example, says in today’s first reading, “I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul” (Is 61:10). If we keep in mind the readings of the past two Sundays, it is easy to guess the cause for the rejoicing – the exile is finally over and the liberation that God promised is finally accomplished. Paul, in today’s second reading, asks the Thessalonians to “Rejoice always. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes 5:16). Paul’s cause for joy comes from his knowledge of Christ in whom he experiences redemption. The gospel reading, on the other hand, has no reference to joy or joyous sentiments. Rather, as for many of us, there are questions – serious questions. The most prominent of these question is, “Who are you?” These are questions about identity, about faith, about God and about human quest for meaning.
As a preacher, then, I am left with the task of reconciling these two themes – joy and human quest for meaning. In my three points I would like to do exactly that through practical implications.
- “Who are you?” The gospel reading tells us that Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask John the Baptist, "Who are you?" That is what I meant when I said earlier that the gospel reading is about identity, about faith, about God and about human quest for meaning. John must answer their question. John begins by confirming who he is not. Only toward the end of the passage do we have a clearer answer. And he answers by telling people not who he is, but who Christ is. “... I baptize you with water, but he will baptize with the Holy Spirit,” is his answer. There are a couple of things we can conclude from this. First, that this gospel reading is about the entire humanity’s quest for meaning. Who are we as the human species? The answer is found not in not who we are but who Jesus is. Jesus is the model of the human race. What is true of us as the human species is also true of us as individuals. Isn’t our most basic existential question, “Who am I?” Ironically, as with John, your answer and mine can only be found by defining who Jesus is for us. This third week of advent, I invite you to reflect on this question. In answering who Jesus is for you, you will find your own identity and meaning.
- Perhaps, now we can address the question of joy. To rejoice always, as Paul tells us, can be a tall order if we think joy means being on a perpetual high. Being joyful always does not mean we are like people on Ritalin 24x7. The real meaning of joy is the contentment of knowing who Jesus is for us and who we are in Christ. Once we have reached that conviction, joy also comes from defining our relationship with him. This is what John teaches us. For John, Christ is the one who sandals he is unworthy to untie. Once we know who Christ is for us and once we have defined our relationship with him, it is time to bring Christ to the very center of our life. Joy is the result of this three step process. Joy comes from knowing Christ, defining our relationship with him and letting Christ be at the very core of our existence as human being. Now we are ready for life with its certainties and uncertainties. No matter what life brings to us it remains meaningful with the contentment of Christ’s undoubted presence. This is what Paul meant by calling the Thessalonians to rejoice always.
- It is very common for us to often ignore the psalm response in our reflection on the Sunday scriptures. Because, today is Gaudate Sunday, our response to the first reading is the Magnificat (Mary’s song of praise to God). She would sing, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed.” The rest of Mary’s song is about how God has filled the hungry with good things, and how God favors the poor, the humble and those in need. In other words, Mary knew her God and who she was in God. Mary also brought God to the center of her being by saying, “May it done according to your word.” But she completes her joy by also bringing her community, especially the poor and those in need into focus. She visits Elizabeth instead of focusing on her own pregnancy. Mary teaches us an invaluable lesson about joy. Joy is a community affair. Joy comes from being in genuine relationship with each other as well. Mary teaches us to discover the joy of self-sacrifice, the joy of commitment to the poor, and the joy of being there for those in need. This Christmas, let joy come to us, not because we share from our abundance, but from selfless and genuine commitment to those in need.
As we prepare to bring bread and wine to the altar, let us bring our need for meaning and purpose to this altar. Here we discover Christ. Here we can build our relationship with him. Here we can being Christ in to the very core of our life. Not merely as individuals, but as a community, let us find contentment, meaning, and joy. Amen.
Fr. Satish Joseph