First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18A
Reflection:
This Sunday we celebrate “Gaudete Sunday,” the Third Sunday of Advent. The Latin word Gaudete means “Rejoice!” On this Sunday, we take a short hiatus from the mostly somber nature of Advent and rejoice in the nearness of the celebration of Christmas. To signal this, rose vestments may be worn by the celebrant, instead of the typical violet for Advent, which is a penitential color. One may also note that the third candle on the Advent wreath is rose colored. Rose signifies joy. Thus, the first reading calls us to “shout for joy,” “sing joyfully,” and “be glad and exult with all your heart.” What is the reason to rejoice? In this Sunday’s first reading we hear that the cause of rejoicing was the salvation that the Lord brought to Israel from their enemies. But, even more so, the cause of rejoicing was that the Lord dwelt in their midst. We also hear in this reading that a time would come when “a mighty savior” would arrive. This “mighty savior” is Jesus, who is Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” Because God is with us, there is no reason to fear. In Advent we prepare to celebrate the coming of God into our midst through the birth of Jesus. This gives us great cause to rejoice!
Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Reflection:
This Sunday’s second reading calls us to “Rejoice in the Lord always,” continuing on the theme of joy on this Gaudete Sunday. Again we hear that the cause of rejoicing is that “The Lord is near.” There is nothing to fear because God is with us in Jesus Christ. Christian joy goes beyond a mere emotion and, therefore, supersedes circumstances. The joy we have in Christ can remain regardless of what challenges we are facing in life. Therefore, it is possible to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Joy also goes hand-in-hand with peace. We experience both when we entrust our lives completely to God. The Apostle Paul even exhorts us to “have no anxiety at all.” Can you imagine a life with no anxiety? If we bring our requests, our needs, and our petitions to God and bathe everything in prayer and thanksgiving, then we can be relieved of anxieties and have peace, because we know that God is in control of all things. The peace that God offers is true peace that goes deeper than emotion and “surpasses all understanding,” offering us security through any challenges we may face. Peace comes through entrusting our entire lives to Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace. And that is something worth rejoicing over!
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:10-18
Commentary:
This Sunday’s Gospel passage picks up soon after we left off in last week’s reading regarding the ministry of John the Baptist. The crowds were flocking to John as he was baptizing at the Jordan River. John was preaching a message of repentance to them. A couple verses before this reading, John called the crowds to “Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance.” This exhortation makes sense of the dialogue in this Sunday’s gospel reading. The question “What should we do?” is repeated three times here by various groups in the crowd as their response to John’s exhortation. In essence, they were asking, “How is it that we can ‘produce good fruits’?” John sees right to the heart of their sinfulness and gives some specific ways for them to change their actions. The teachings of John show us something important about repentance: it requires action. It is one thing to say, “I’m sorry.” It’s another to make reparation for the wrong committed and to not do it again. True repentance involves a resolve to not commit the same sin again. It means that I am sorry enough to take action to make things right. Repentance involves both a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. As a result of John’s teachings, the people thought he might be the Messiah. John denied this and told them, “one mightier than I is coming.” Jesus is the true Messiah who also calls us to repentance. And Jesus makes possible complete forgiveness of sins. It is through Jesus that we can experience the profound mercy of God. Mercy is not cheap grace. It is not a “get out of sin free” card. Mercy is God’s love in action, responding to a sinner who is truly repentant. God wants to lavish His mercy and forgiveness upon you!
Application:
• Do you have joy? What makes you rejoice? Do you have peace? What are areas of anxiety in your life? Think about ways you can increase in joy and peace this Advent season, with the help of the grace of God. Entrust your life to Christ and allow him to transform you into a joy-filled and peaceful person, even in difficult times.
• Will you seek and accept God’s mercy? You’re invited to repent by turning away from sin and turning toward God. You’re encouraged to do so by visiting the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this Advent season.
