Zephaniah 3:14–18a
Isaiah 12:2–3, 4, 5–6
Philippians 4:4–7
Luke 3:10–18
Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, marked in the Liturgy by the pink candle and rose vestments, invites us to experience that “leap of joy” that comes just before we reach our goal. God speaks to us in the midst of the darkness and tells us to rejoice. The Lord is near to us. He invites us to acknowledge that He is with us and that He is merciful.
The message of Advent is a message of hope and expectation. God is available to all of us. There is no human situation that is foreign to Him. Human beings in every circumstance, even persons considered outcasts, can draw close to God. Every human heart seeks to respond to this truth.
John the Baptist’s preaching paved the way for Jesus. John preached a baptism of repentance. Jesus came in meekness and humility, surprising everyone, even John. The fire Jesus preached was not of condemnation but of the kingdom of mercy.
God’s mercy is offered to us in these days of preparation for Christmas. We are called, invited, urged and even begged by God Himself to draw close to Him. We are busy with so many things. But now is the time to turn to back to God. The time of mercy is at hand.
We often hear of God’s extraordinary actions to make His mercy known. The sacraments are the ordinary means of receiving that mercy, especially the sacrament of reconciliation. In approaching this sacrament, we have a chance to change our hearts and to give ourselves anew to the action of grace.
If you have not been to the sacrament of reconciliation in a long time, due to the reality of COVID or due to a lapse in practice, let this be the moment you begin again. Whatever may stand in the way for you, hear the baptist’s cry for you to open your heart to the action of grace and respond to mercy’s call.
Listen to St. Paul’s encouragement: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! The Lord is near.” And He is the Lord of mercy.
The prayer of the Church during these days is that we may be made ready for the coming of Christ at the end of time and into our hearts as we continue our earthly journey. Jesus invites us through word and sacrament to open our lives to Him. We are meant to give all we are to the Lord, to become holy, to share the good news and to cooperate both materially and spiritually in the work of salvation.
The difficult experiences of the past few years have affected all of us. We can be tempted to give in to discouragement. When we listen to the words of division and controversy, despair is a natural response. Sorrow can take root in our spirits and challenge our faith.
The message of the Spirit offers hope instead. This does not mean a denial of the struggles we face. Rather, it encourages us to look up and to realize that our salvation is near at hand. Let us take our cue from the liturgy: Gaudete! “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! The Lord is near.”
May we open our hearts to the Spirit, and may we rejoice in the power of the living God at work among us!