THEME: REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS
READINGS: Zephaniah 3:14-18/ Philippians 4: 4-7/ Luke 3:10-18
3rd Sunday of Advent
INTRODUCTION
A theme which runs through today’s readings is “Rejoice in the Lord always”. For instance, the first reading says: “Sing aloud …Rejoice and exult with all your heart” (Zeph. 3:14). Then, the responsorial psalm enjoins us: “Shout and sing for joy” (Isa. 12:6). And in the second reading, St. Paul exhorts us: “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4).
- THE REASON FOR ISRAEL’S REJOICING
Why did the prophet Zephaniah tell Israel to rejoice? They were to rejoice, because God was in their midst to save them: “Sing aloud …Rejoice and exult with all your heart [for] …the Lord is in your midst” (Zeph. 3:14-15)! Earlier on, the prophet Isaiah had given the same reason: “Shout and sing for joy …for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isa. 12:6)!
- CHRIST, THE CAUSE OF OUR JOY
As God’s saving presence brought joy to the Israelites, so the presence of Christ, the Emmanuel (God-with-us), should bring us joy. This is well captured in one of the Advent hymn:
O come, O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lowly exile here,
Until the Son of God appears,
Rejoice, rejoice, O Israel,
To thee shall come Emmanuel.
Amazingly, even while Christ was yet to be born, His presence would rejoice the unborn John the Baptist in the womb of Elizabeth (cf. Luke 1:41). Then, after the birth of Christ, an angel of God would announce to the shepherds the great joy which He brings to all. The angel said: “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Christ, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Therefore, some years later, when the Jews were getting excited about John the Baptist, as they thought that he was their Saviour, he would rightly redirect them to Christ, the true cause of our joy (cf. Luke 3:10-18; gospel reading).
- REJOICING IN THE LORD
As mentioned earlier on, St. Paul exhorts us: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say it, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4)! How, then, do we embrace the joy of Christ? Here, let us consider only three points from today’s readings.
Firstly, we embrace His joy by giving up that which He has come to save us from, i.e., sin. That was why John the Baptist called upon the people of Israel to repent of their sins. So, for instance, he would tell the tax collectors to desist from corruption: “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you” (Luke 3:13). Then, he would admonish the soldiers to avoid extortion and false accusation: “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation” (Luke 3:14). So, beloved, let us also repent of our sins and confess them to pave the way for the joy of the Lord.
Secondly, we embrace the joy of the Lord through works of charity. Hence, John the Baptist exhorted the crowds that approached him: “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise” (Luke 3:11).
St. Paul provides us with a third way by which we can embrace the joy of Christ. He exhorts us thus: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). Worrying or anxiety is a thief of our joy. So, fully trusting in God who saves us through Christ, let us turn the issues which worry us into prayers. Let us do so with gratitude to God who provides us with more than we can ask for or imagine.
CONCLUSION
Indeed, in Christ, God is more than able to change our mourning into dancing. He turns our death into new life and our hell into heaven! So beloved, despite the challenges or difficulties we may be experiencing in life, let us rejoice in the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus! Amen!
By Most Rev. John Kobina Louis
