The Third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday because of its dominant note of gladness. In our world today we surely need some real joyfulness. What does it mean to be truly joyful? What can lead us to it? The Gospel (Luke 3:10-18) and the other readings for this Sunday have a lot to tell us.
Rejoice in the Lord always
SAINT Luke highlights the note of joy that characterizes the story of God’s saving act in favor of humankind. “Rejoice, favored one!” (Luke 1:28) is the angel’s opening words to Mary. The evangelist is simply borrowing from the prophet Zephaniah (3:14.16) who, in the First Reading, clearly sees together salvation and joy: “Shout for joy! Sing joyfully!…Fear not…the Lord is in your midst.” There is no need to fear if God Himself liberates His people from the sentence of sin and restores them to life. No wonder Mary glorifies the Lord and resoundingly rejoices in God her savior (Luke 1:47). In fact, according to Zephaniah, God Himself is joyous at the vindication of His beloved: “He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in His love. He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals” (Zephaniah 3:17-18).
Saint Paul (Philippians 4:4-7), in the Second Reading, chimes in with his impregnable affirmation of joy in the Lord. This joy is basically serenity and interior peace in the love of God. It is neither measured by noisy demonstrations nor marred by deep anxiety or derailed by external tribulations. For nothing can “separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord” (Romans 8:39). As we persevere and remain in contact with God in prayer, and endure in affliction, we actually rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12). Paul writes with unassailable optimism, “I am overflowing with joy all the more because of all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 7:4). Christians surrender themselves to God’s love, not in fatalism but in confidence and thanksgiving. This peace and joy in the Lord is already a taste of eternal life, of unending communion with Him. It is the blessedness shared by the Risen One with his disciples (Luke 24:36.52).
…As you live in the holy spirit
IF Luke is clear about the joy Christians possess, he is no less emphatic about the qualification for such a life of rejoicing. The crowds ask John the Baptizer what they must do so that they can share in the joy and peace of the reign of God. Nothing out of this world but simple charity to others in need. Sharing and giving to others is a sure sign of conversion from the old selfish way. The tax collectors are not told to abandon their profession, only that they do not enrich themselves unjustly using their position. The soldiers are asked not to abuse their power or terrorize the people.
It is not enough to listen or reflect on teachings, however sublime. Actions putting them into practice are necessary. John the Baptizer knows that someone greater is coming after him who will baptize in the Holy Spirit and with fire. To live as baptized in the Holy Spirit means to live a life cleansed from the ways of the world and fruitful in the gifts of the Spirit, especially in charity and in witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus. So as baptized, one is accountable. The Lord will gather the grain but burn the chaff. That is why we do not cease preparing for the day of the glorious final victory, a day of everlasting joy but also of reckoning.
Alálaong bagá, persevering in our ongoing conversion to Jesus Christ is the basis for our lasting joy and gladness. Is the reason why we have little to be joyful about in our life traceable to the parse gifts of the Holy Spirit we manage to manifest and live in accordance with? Like the people seeking guidance from John the Baptizer, we have to ask “What must we do?” and do what we are taught! To rejoice in the Lord always, we have to live in the Holy Spirit.
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