REJOICE WITH GREAT JOY - THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (12/12/21)

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 12, 2021

Zephaniah 3: 14-18
Responsorial - Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18

REJOICE WITH GREAT JOY

It is no big secret as to what today's liturgy wants to communicate. Everything bespeaks joy, gladness, rejoicing and exultation. Today is, of course, Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice." The celebrant has the option of wearing rose-colored vestments instead of violet. In the midst of so much bad news, we can and should rejoice at all the truly good news we celebrate - Christ has come, is now with us, and will come again!

ZEPHANIAH

The ministry of the prophet Zephaniah took place in the seventh century BC, a time of religious corruption and idolatry. It is a short book - just three chapters. Two of the three chapters concern the Day of the Lord: a Day of Doom and a Day of Judgment for the nations.

Today's reading, however, is from chapter three. The first thirteen verses contain a reproach to Jerusalem, but also a promise to leave behind a remnant of humble and lowly people who will take refuge in the Lord. It is to this group that the prophet addresses his first words of hope and encouragement.  "Shout for joy, O daughter Zion. Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart O daughter, Jerusalem!"

The reason for this is that "the Lord, your God, is in your midst." Where God is present, there is cause for rejoicing.

Our Responsorial today is somewhat unusual in that it is not taken from the Book of Psalms, but rather from Isaiah. It echoes the theme of joy and gladness.

GOSPEL

The gospel is St. Luke's description of the ministry of John the Baptizer. In the first four verses, John gives some very practical spiritual advice: share your extra clothing and food with those who have none. Tax collectors should stop "padding" the bill! Soldiers should not extort nor accuse falsely, but should be content with their wages. These verses are peculiar to Luke; the other gospels don't record them.

Then John proceeds to give witness to the coming one who will "baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John predicts a judgment - separating wheat from chaff, which "he will burn with unquenchable fire." Despite these challenging words, Luke relates that John "preached good news to the people."

PHILIPPIANS

Our second reading is the very passage that gives Gaudete Sunday its name: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!" The words are also the Entrance Antiphon for this Mass.

St. Paul declares: "The Lord is near." He exhorts us to "have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God."

The end result of rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving is "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding." What a great gift to hope for as we draw near to the celebration of Christmas!

JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

Authentic Christian joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22), meaning that only the Holy Spirit can produce it. St. Paul says that the kingdom of God is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17).

In all four gospels, and today in Luke, Jesus is presented as the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit. Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI said that "the entire mission of Christ is summed up in this: to baptize us in the Holy Spirit..."(Angelus Message of January 13, 2008).

Advent is yet another prime opportunity to pray fervently that Jesus would baptize us in the Holy Spirit, so that the fruit of Christian joy may be produced in us.