Reflection for Third Sunday of Advent: Dec. 12, 2021

Reflection for Third Sunday of Advent: Dec. 12, 2021

Zephaniah 3:14-18a: In this triumphant passage, the people of Zion/Israel/Jerusalem are called to rejoicing; in that we have been freed from captivity by the debt of our sins as well as from physical/political captors, who treated God’s people, cruelly, abusively and with great injustice. The author proclaims our need to exult and celebrate our Lord’s Presence in our midst. Given God’s power over all, we have nothing to fear. We can be assured of and confident in God’s protection and boundless mercy and love! We have every reason to rejoice and to allow ourselves to cast off our “garments” or outlook of mourning, despair and helplessness. We have entered a new era of hope, faith, and especially, love! It’s especially compelling that our God is rejoicing over us as well as rejoicing with us.

Isaiah 12: “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.” This psalm further elucidates our theme of rejoicing and renewal of hope. The psalm starts with expressions of firm faith and confidence in our God as Savior and Redeemer. The author analogizes God as a wellspring or source of courage and strength and of salvation, itself. Next, we’re called to give thanks and gratitude to God, Himself, via our prayers of thanksgiving and adoration. Coupled with this, we are called to proclaim all that God has done for us; to evangelize others around us, as well as the whole world. Let’s not make a secret of the wonders and miracles of God’s love. Let’s proclaim them from the rooftops!

Philippians 4:4-7:  St. Paul begins this passage by telling us, twice, to “rejoice in the Lord, always.” Paul’s telling us this twice emphasizes that we must rejoice in the Lord, despite our situation; rich or poor, healthy or ill; burdened or free of worries. Upon first reflecting on this, it may sound impossible to do, but really think about it. We could be having a really bad day. We may have lost our job. We or one we love may be gravely and critically ill. Our life may seem to be in  shambles, but we can still rejoice in the Lord. We can still rejoice in God’s Presence… in the Eucharist, in Scripture, in the holy witness of the lives of so many others around us. Despite our temporal situations, we can still rejoice in the eternal consolation that God is! God’s Presence and His nearness doesn’t change; despite what situations we may be in at any moment. God is always near. That’s something to always rejoice over!

Luke 3:10-18: This is a remarkably straightforward and direct passage. Disciples ask John the Baptist what they should do. He tells the people to share their extra clothing, food and resources with others. John tells us to be generous and to practice charity. John tells tax collectors not to cheat others. John calls us to be honest and to practice justice and fairness. John tells us to be satisfied with our wages. John is telling us to strive to cultivate an attitude of contentment and appreciation and to avoid jealously comparing what we have, with what others have.

Because of John’s godly message of charity, justice, honesty and living with integrity and detachment from possessions, John’s disciples wonder if he is the Christ; the coming Messiah. John then prophecies the imminent coming of Jesus. The message for those people and for us is to prepare ourselves. Let’s straighten out our lives to prepare for Jesus’ coming! 

He’s here! Rejoice! 
Deacon Matt