Third Sunday of Advent
If we want to know what it means to live in the in-between times, this is it. We are in the midst of the highest surge in the coronavirus infections in the nation, but the hope of a vaccine tells us that the end is not too far away. Politically too, we are in the in-between times. One administration will make way for another. In reality, Advent is an in-between season. We are almost there but not yet. Christmas is not here yet, but the joy is almost palpable. Nothing expresses this better than Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday.
Today’s first reading from Isaiah speaks most intensely of the joy of the in-between times. The context of this scripture reading is the end of the Babylonian exile. When the people returned from exile, they found their homeland in ruins. The long and arduous task of building the temple and nation would have to begin. The nation had mixed emotions - sadness for the ruin yet the hope of rebuilding. They were literally in the in-between times. In the midst of all this, the people hear promising words proclaimed by the prophet: “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God” (Is 61:1-10). Jesus would use these very words centuries later (Luke 4:21) but let us keep that reflection for another time.
As we enter the third week of Advent, and as we are only a week-and-a-half away from Christmas, let me propose three points for us to reflect:
- Joy is a Gift. Often, just like the people of Israel upon their return from exile, our life too is a mixed bag. Life is a combination of despair and hope, anguish and optimism. Whereas Illness, misfortune, death, tragedies can weigh us down, the birth of a child, a healing, success, friendship, and a spiritual consolation can also bring us hope. The pandemic is a life-lesson in this regard. Reflection on an exile that took place almost two thousand seven hundred years ago should make us realize that God never abandons us during these difficult times. No matter how bleak life may seem, God is present in our midst. This awareness is the reason for the joy that is expressed in the second half of the same scripture passage. Isaiah says, “I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul.” Joy comes from our knowing that God is present no matter what the circumstances. Joy is not the absence of struggles. Joy is the quiet contentment that comes from knowing that God is ever present. This week let us become deeply aware of God’s presence. The important thing is not to go looking for joy. Rather, the important thing is to discover God's presence in every situation. It is this discovery that becomes the source of our joy! No matter what the circumstances, may the joy of God presence never evade us.
- This Our Exile. One of the most popular Advent hymns is, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The first verse of the hymn goes: “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and Ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear!” In these words, we Christians are reminded each Advent that our life on earth is a form of exile. In a very real sense, we are all away from home and on the way. On their exile, the people of Israel felt that God has abandoned them, that they had no reason whatsoever for joy and hope. This need not be the case with us. In fact, we think of our exile on earth as a gift from God. The good things of life, the happiness we experience, the gift of our families, the contentment and success that comes from our earthly pursuits, the goodness and beauty that we see makes our exile not so loathsome. Here precisely, though, is also the danger - that we might think of this exile as the ultimate end; that we strike our roots here a little too deep; that we lose perspective of eternity; that thinking of our exile as the destination, we become selfish, uncaring, and put our trust in that which is transient. Advent is a reminder to us that the best is yet to come. Advent reminds us to live life with faith; to live our life here on earth with one eye on eternity; to treat each other right because one day we will be with each other again in God’s presence. As we pray in the prayer we know as the Hail Holy Queen, “and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of the womb, Jesus!”
- Joy is contagious. On the one hand, God’s presence is our joy. On the other hand, joy is also our mission. Let me share and real-life story. Last week during the lunch rush at a Dairy Queen in Brainerd, Minnesota, a man asked the cashier if he could buy his own meal and the meal ordered by the stranger behind him. Little did he know that he would begin the world’s biggest and longest unbroken ‘pay-it-forward’ chain. His one random act of kindness led to 900 cars paying for each other's meals over two-and-a-half-days. In the midst of a pandemic, when the world is hurting, someone decided to ‘pay it forward.’ I share this story with you to make the point that, on the one hand, joy is the gift of God’s presence. On the other hand, joy is also our responsibility. All it takes is one word, one smile, or one act. Perhaps this is what Paul means when he says in today’s second reading, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks!” (1 Thes 5:16-22). In recent history, these are one of the most difficult times that humanity across the globe has endured. This makes it even more imperative that we ‘pay-it-forward’; that when experience joy in the smallest way, we spread it; and that our joy become the cause of other people’s hope. So yes, “Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing! In circumstances give thanks!”
Unlike the people during the Babylonian exile, we have Christ in the Eucharist to guide us through our exile. May Christ be our joy! As Christ paid it forward, we must too! Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph