The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete or Rejoice, Sunday—and all of the readings for this week invite us to rejoice. 

The first reading from the prophet Zephaniah opens with a threefold call to joy, “Shout for you...sing joyfully, Be glad and exult with all your heart.” Zep 3:14. Israel rejoiced in the presence of her saving God, but this joy is made complete in the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, and so we too are called to rejoice in the presence of our God.

In the second reading from Philippians, St. Paul shares with us the secret to Christian joy: It is not merely an emotion that comes and goes, but a choice. We choose to rejoice by remembering all that God has done for us. In the Gospel reading from Luke, we are reminded that repentance is the preparation for receiving  God’s gift of salvation. The crowds  flocking  to  John  are  a  testimony  to the deep hunger and desire in man’s heart for God, and John answers this hunger with very simple instructions: Put your life in order. The works of charity and justice that John encourages are not salvation itself, but they prepare the heart for salvation, which, in turn, opens us to the joy that God alone can provide.

Together, the readings for this Sunday of Advent encourage us to go beyond the superficial happiness that the world looks for  during the Christmas season and enter into a relationship with God built on joy and profound gratitude.

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First Reading Reflection

Zephaniah 3:14-18

Zephaniah is a real “prophet of doom,” but in today’s reading, he offers a note of consolation: God doesn’t seek the destruction of his creation, but the end to the sin that has marred his creation. When God acts in judgment in the Old Testament, it’s to communicate the destructiveness of sin. Although he hates sin, he loves the sinner.

The heart of the message must always be, “Shout for joy!” Every apparent defeat is only a temporary one. In the form of a helpless infant, God will come and give us the greatest possible motive for joy: victory over sin and death.

Second Reading Reflection

Philippians 4:4-7

This reading from St. Paul is certainly appropriate considering how close we are to Christmas. The Lord is near; let us not be unprepared for his arrival. This is why the Church gives us Advent and encourages spiritual exercises throughout the year.

We can’t achieve peace of mind without prayer. The Catholic Church has wonderful resources that can help us pray more effectively, such as the rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, and innumerable novenas to Mary and the saints. Joy and peace of mind are founded upon union with God; don’t neglect this necessary activity; St. Paul urges us to pray for this reason.

Gospel Reflection

Luke 3:10-18

John the Baptist preaches repentance and a baptism of conversion to prepare the way for the Messiah. John addresses the crowds to practice charity. He then addresses tax collectors to tax justly, aiming for better morals. Lastly, he tells the soldiers not to abuse their power and position but act with justice.

John wants to cleanse and transform society through ceremonial baptism and moral order as he prepares human hearts for the coming Messiah. This is part of the prophetic genius of John. Society can only be truly transformed when human lives are changed.

DISCUSSION:

John the Baptist preached and performed a baptism of repentance that foreshadowed the Sacrament of Baptism. What does Baptism mean to you? How does the season of Advent call us to live out or prepare for our baptismal promises more faithfully?

What are some differences between the emotion of happiness and Christian joy? How can we maintain joy in our lives even in the face of sorrow or hardship? Do you have an example of a time when you were able to rejoice even when you didn’t feel happy?

PRAY & MEDIATE:

Prayer: Prayerfully place yourself in today’s Gospel reading. Picture yourself on the bank of the Jordan River listening to John’s announcement that the Messiah is finally coming. Imagine the joy you and many of the others in the crowd would have hearing that the Messiah will finally be arriving after hundreds of years of waiting. Imagine John the Baptist saying to you, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” How does this call to repentance make you feel? Are you excited? scared?

Resolution: Imagine hearing the John the Baptist’s instructions to the crowds to practice charity and justice in their daily lives. What might John tell you specifically to do to put your life in order in preparation for the coming of the Lord? What is one thing you can do this week in order to make your daily life a greater witness to Jesus?

Reprinted with permission from  Opening the Word at Formed.org .
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