Third Sunday of Advent
Since the terrorist attack on Paris, and then closer home in San Bernardino, California, it does not take too long in a conversation for people to say, “The world is in such a mess.” Perhaps, I am not wrong in saying that the mood is a little dull these days. Sure we are trying to keep things as normal as we can, but there is a certain fear that lurks in the background. And then we come to church and realize that this third Sunday of Advent is also ‘Gaudate Sunday’ or “Rejoice Sunday.’ I am wondering, though, if we are not finding it difficult to feel sheer joy these days year because of the situation of the world.
What shall we make of Gaudate Sunday even as we celebrate it in an uncertain world?
Let me answer this question in three points.
1. Joy is a Promise. As you have probably guessed, the exultant mood for Gaudate Sunday mood comes from today’s first and second readings. Zephaniah says, “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem.” Again Paul in today’s second reading says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.I shall say it again: rejoice!” But why? What is the reason? Zephaniah provides the reason: “The Lord has removed the judgement against you; the Lord, your God is in your midst.” Zephaniah was writing at a low point in Judah’s history when infidelities and social injustices were rampant. The ‘joy’ that Zephaniah promised was an imminent promise. Joy was not there yet! If we read the entire book of Zephaniah (which is in fact only three chapters) we realize that the promise of joy is preceded by harsh judgement by God. In other words, joy is a promise but it would require conversion.
2. Conversion: An Integral Step to Joy. Zephaniah’s proclamation that “The Lord has removed his judgement,” is not an undemanding proposition. Sometimes, people misunderstand God’s compassion and mercy. God does not simply remove our judgements from us to make us feel good. Religion is not like a massage therapy. Religion makes just and honest demands on us. Religion demands conversion. Our relationship with God is like a good marriage - it is only good as the amount of work couples put into it. This is true is all areas, is it not? Nobody should expect to live carelessly and yet be financially healthy. Nobody should expect to live selfishly and yet have a great family. Nobody can to treat others disrespectfully and expect to be respected. joy requires work. In today’s gospel reading, when John the Baptist announced the coming of Jesus, the people came to him asking, “What should we do?” John the baptist urged conversion : “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. Whoever has food should do likewise.” To the tax collectors he said, “Stop collecting more that what is prescribed.” To the soldiers he said, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone and be satisfied with your wages.” In other words, John was saying that joy can be their’s but it will require conversion. People cannot take Gods mercy for granted, make no changes and expect to experience joy. Conversion is an integral part of joy.
3. Joy: The Experience of God’s Mercy. Last Tuesday, Pope Francis opened the doors of the Vatican and inaugurated the Jubilee of Mercy. Pope Francis truly wants people to experience the joy of God’s Mercy. In other words, Pope Francis is saying that God is first and foremost about love, compassion and mercy. He is also saying that the Church’s first responsibility, like Jesus, is to make God mercy abundantly available to all.Yet, this same Pope is inviting us to change the way we conduct world affairs. He is asking us to change the way take care of our planet. Whereas many people are treating refugees unjustly, he is asking parishes to be compassionate. Whereas, many important political figures are engaging in hate speeches in light of the threat of terrorism, the Pope is calling for intensified inter-religious dialogue. In visiting any country, the pope visits not only the government and religious leaders, the prisons, the orphanages, the slums and the sick. In this way the pope is reminding the economic systems in the world that society is only as well as the weakest person in it. Most people including global leaders, treat terrorism as a problem. Sociologists tell us that global terrorism is a symptom of deeper issues. Global politics is in need of a paradigm shift if the issue of global terrorism must end. But who is listening? At least the media polls seems to indicate that divisive, discriminatory, bigoted and partisan politics is more popular than Pope Francis’ call for a merciful world. Zephaniah and John the Baptist teach us that joy is God’s promise to us, but we must also be willing to take seriously the path to joy.
Fr. Satish Joseph