Homily
Third Sunday of Advent Year C
Reading
1: What is the cause of or reason for rejoicing? The prophet Zephaniah gives
two reasons why they should rejoice. One, God has removed his judgment against
the people of Israel, namely their sinfulness and consequent punishment of
exile. Secondly, the Lord is in their midst. As a result, they were no longer
to fear or become discouraged by their situation in exile. The prophet also
gives them a promise. The Lord will renew them in his love.
To
shout with joy, to rejoice in the midst of struggles and difficulties, tragedies
and major disappointments is not easy. In fact it goes against feelings and
perceptions. But it can be our attitude if we recognize what God has and is
doing and desires to do in and for us. Joy can be in us if we realize that God
is with us, even when we don’t see or feel him.
Is
it possible that we have forgotten the good news, namely, the promise that
Jesus has made? He said that he would be with us always. There may be a lack of
inner joy in our lives because we focus on externals and not internals. If we
are living in relationship with God, sharing in his life, is he not present
within us? Is that a reason for joy? That he has forgiven our many sins and
taken away our shame and guilt, is this not a reason for rejoicing? Like the
Israelites, we have to be reminded again and again of the deeds and promises of
God for us.
Reading
2: Paul reminds us that we are not just to rejoice but to rejoice in the Lord,
not occasionally but always. Our joy, he says, should be obvious to others for
we are aware that the Lord is near as far as his second coming. But more importantly
he is in us and with us in his present coming.
If
we are conscious of the Lord’s presence and love is there room for anxiety?
Instead of being anxious over things we have no control over, Paul urges us to
pray to the Lord in thanksgiving. In another words, offer our anxieties to the
Lord. If we follow this pattern then the peace that surpasses all understanding
will be present in our hearts. In either case, rejoicing in the Lord or
becoming overwhelmed by anxieties is a choice that I make.
Gospel:
The people who came to John at the Jordan and were asking to be baptized, were
instructed by John to show their repentance by their way of life. They were
expecting the Messiah. They wanted to prepare for his coming. But they wanted
to know what more should they do to prepare for him. John basically said to act
in a truly loving way to others, sharing with them, treating them justly and
rightly with respect.
John
reminded them that the One who is to come will baptize them with the Holy
Spirit and fire. This is what Jesus said to the Apostles on the Day of the
Ascension: “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit….You will receive power
to witness to others.” This is what happened on the Day of Pentecost. The
Spirit came upon them and tongues of fire hovered over them. Jesus was the Lord
of their lives. They rejoiced in him and followed the lead of the Spirit in
preaching God’s love and plan to others.
We
can become so off focus during this season that we miss the point of it. We can
become overwhelmed and caught up with the details of the pre-Christmas season
that we missed the person, Jesus. Is there a joy or excitement in our hearts?
Is the reason for that excitement and joy Jesus? The celebration of his birth?
Like the people in today’s Gospel, we should be asking what more can we do to
prepare for his coming? Will we cleanse our hearts of sin? Will we desire him
to come more fully into our lives and be the Lord of them? Will we recognize
him in one another? Will love or obligation be the reason we do for others?
Let
the Lord be the reason of our joy as we invite him more fully into our
lives. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
