THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YR C
Zeph 3:14-18a; Is 12;
Phil. 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18
SHOUT FOR JOY
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called “Gaudete Sunday”. The third Advent candle is lighted on this Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin imperative form of “gaudere” which means to rejoice.
Amidst the sober mood of Advent when we are called to watch and wait for the coming of the Lord with preparation and repentance, this Sunday brings good news of joy. Fittingly so the colours for this Sunday is the Rose. The theme of joy is introduced as the days of Christmas draws near but the reason for this call to joy is much more than just the Christmas celebration.
Our first reading is from the book of the prophet Zephaniah 3:14-18a, calling us to “shout for joy”, to have a disposition to joy. We must note that until chapter three the book indicates God’s displeasure and his intended punishment for the people.
In fact, the book of Zephaniah concerns the sins of Jerusalem and Judah during the reigns of Manasseh and Amon. In those times, Israel experienced their greatest level of religious corruption by adopting pagan worship and setting some pagan idols in the Temple in Jerusalem. (2 Kings 21:1-26). For these evils the Lord had said “I will completely sweep away all things from the face of the Earth…I will destroy mankind from the face of the Earth” (Zeph. 1:2-2). God was angry also with Israel because she was no longer paying attention to the voice of the Lord and even her prophets and priests have become insolent and do violence to the Law of God (3:1,4). God was very much unhappy with his people.
But in chapter 3:11 following of book everything seems to have changed suddenly. Why the change in mood and tone? Why is there now talk about joy? What happened?
The reason was Josiah. The book was written in the days of Josiah. He did what the prophet called on the whole nation to do “Gather together, gather, O shameless nation, before you are driven away like the drifting chaff, before there comes upon you the fierce anger of the Lord, before there comes upon you the day of the Lord’s wrath” (Zeph. 2:1-2). He re-instituted the celebration of the Passover and let the people to make a renewal of their faith and a re-commitment to the Lord God. Scripture records it this way “The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, keeping his commandments, his decrees, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. All the people joined in the covenant”. (2Kg. 23:2-3)
This is the reason for the call to “shout for joy”. It is also the reason for our rejoicing this Sunday. So should we Rejoice?
We rejoice because our efforts for spiritual growth and sanctification is not in vain. Like these people, under Josiah when we sincerely repent and do reparation, God will forgive us and restore us. In deed there is great joy and peace in reconciling with God. it takes away every anxiety and anguish. It heals all our brokenness.
Another reason for the rejoicing is that “the Lord has turned away your enemies” (Zeph. 3:15). When we disobey God’s command it’s as if to say we want to be on our own. We in effect refuse the Lordship and protection of God over our lives. But when we return to him, he brings us under his banner of protection. He comes into our lives and his mere presence in our lives turns away all our enemies. It makes the plans of our enemies not come to harm us, for God is for us.
We rejoice also because God will not only save us by his power but by coming into our midst. He will come and live with us. He is coming to be one of us. His presence and power will be felt physically. This is the Emmanuel. It is because of this that we rejoice. When God becomes our Emmanuel, everything becomes joyful for us. With Emmanuel -God with us- life is worth living.
May your hearts be filled with joy as we celebrate the mercy, love and our restoration to glory with God. May the coming of God in our lives bring us peace and joy.
God bless you.
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
