THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A

Isaiah 35:1-6

Psalm 145 (146)

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

GAUDETE SUNDAY: ANTICIPATING THE JOY OF SALVATION

Advent is a season of joyful expectation, a season of waiting. Thus, today’s readings give us two characteristics of effective waiting: hope and patience. Hope allows us to anticipate the joy of possessing what we are waiting for, whereas patience enables us not to lose heart or give up no matter how long our waiting may be. “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God”, declares the prophet Isaiah in the first reading, while Saint James says: “Steady your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is at hand”. For the prophet Isaiah, we should rejoice and sing for joy, because God himself is coming to save us. This salvation means healing, liberation, restoration, fulfilment, wholeness and holiness (Is. 35:1-6).

Unfortunately, there are people, even Christians, who always have funeral and morose faces. They always complain and lament over their difficulties, sicknesses, losses, and problems. They become impatient with God, thinking that God does not care. This impatience often leads to frustration, anger, anxiety, and unhappiness. But like the farmer who patiently waits until the fruits of his labour are ripe, we too should be patient, just as the second reading tells us. We must not lose heart, for the coming of the Lord is at hand (James 5:7-10).

Our joy is also fruit of our faith, for which we recognize the signs of God’s presence in our lives. St John the Baptist was a great prophet who recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. When he was in prison, having heard about Jesus’ ministry, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for somebody else?” Jesus sent them back pointing at his signs and wonders as tangible evidence that he is the Messiah. The prophecy of Isaiah is being realized: God has come to save his people (Mt 11: 2-11).

As we await and prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord, may we be filled with joy and hope. In any life situation, let us never lose heart, for the Lord is our Salvation. May he open our eyes of faith to recognize him as he comes each day to us in various ways and especially in the Eucharist. Amen