Isaiah 61:1-2.10-11
Luke 1:46-50.53-54
1Thessalonians. 5:16-24
John 1:6-8.19-28
A Reason to Be Joyful
Today marks the beginning of the second half of the Advent season: the immediate preparation for Christmas. The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as the “Gaudete Sunday” (Sunday of rejoicing). Why should we rejoice when we are surrounded by thousands of problems and frustrations?
The Communion Antiphon offers the answer: “Say to the anxious: be strong and fear not, our God is coming to save us”. It is precisely in this that the advent season is a season of joyful hope. Thus, St Paul invites us to rejoice at all times, to pray without ceasing and give thank to God in every circumstance. For God has called us and he will not fail us (1Thes. 5:16-24).
The first reading talks about the Anointed of God who would bring the good news to the poor and inaugurate the era of grace, restoration and liberation (Is. 61:1-2.10-11). In Luke 4, Jesus declares that this scripture has been fulfilled in him. He is the person the Jews had long waited for. But it took the testimony of John to prepare the people to discover their Saviour who was standing in their midst, but unknown to them. John is therefore the voice that bears testimony to the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:6-8.19-28).
Thus, from this gospel periscope, we learn that the source of our frustrations, worries, restlessness and unhappiness is our inability to discover that Jesus, our Saviour, is with us. We will never discover true joy unless we discover God in the person He anointed for our sake, Jesus Christ. May he help us to be aware that he is closer to us than we can think of.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment