Third Sunday of Advent

Scripture readings for the Third Sunday of Advent can be found at  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121315.cfm. 

Today the church celebrates Gaudete Sunday. The Church rejoices that our Savior has come and will come again.

On meeting people for the first time and enjoying their presence, we regret when the time arrives for their departure. Reassured by them that they will return, we hope that we will meet again. Since they did not indicate an exact time or place for this return, we place our hope in their word. Until that time, we rejoice in their promise. 

During Advent we focus on the fact that Our Lord  who has come to live with us will return to fulfill that promise.

Sin occurs when we search for happiness apart from God. In our first reading, Zephaniah emphasizes this by illustrating that gladness results when we realize that God is among us. How aware are we of God's being with us? What are the ways in which this is evident to us? How can we live happily in a world that seems to avoid God?

In our search for happiness, we need to focus upon obeying God by keeping his commandments. Using these guidelines can help us to become more aware of God. Rejoicing in his presence and look forward to his coming again.

A person does not need to be in a pleasant surroundings in order to have happiness. An example of this is Paul writing from prison to the Philippian Church, expressing Christ's love and joy for their friendship.

Paul was full of joy for he knew that, whatever would happen to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Let us try to remember this the next time our surroundings make us depressed or lonely. Remember that our Lord is ever present in our darkest corner, waiting to cheer us up.

In our gospel, we hear John's message. It's more than just an invitation. It was a response that moved a person toward a complete, a total transformation.

In demonstrating the importance of right living, John points out the need for repentance, especially among groups such as tax collectors and soldiers. John cites these groups as examples for our personal repentance and interior change. Perhaps we can use this time during Advent to reflect more upon the importance of repentance and how this can apply to our lives.

This message includes not only tax collectors/solders, but also those who were currently experiencing poverty, prejudice, and unfair treatment. These people were definitely aware of their needs as they gave all their effort to seek how they could change their lives. God desires to poor out mercy to those who  change their lives. 

When John appeared, the people were excited. They were sure that the age of the Messiah had come. What would we think or act if a prophet were in our midst? Would we recognize them as prophets through their words and message? As a result, would we change our lives and drawer closer to God?

When our Lord comes, will we recognize him because we have come to know him in his word and the Eucharist? Indeed, it is through hearing the word of God and receiving his sacraments in the Church that we joyfully look forward to his glorious coming.

Ever mindful of our rejoicing, we continue to place our hopes and joys in our community of faith. Through it, may we come to see the presence of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine that we bring and offer until our Lord's return.