Homily, 3rd Sunday of Advent, Joy
December 11, 2022 -- Homily, 3rd Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Joseph K. Ntuwa
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
The Third Sunday of Advent is commonly known as Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudete” is Latin word for “rejoice”. It is a reminder that even though we are in a penitential season of preparation, the penitential emphasis is lightened a bit this week as the joy that awaits us at Christmas comes into sight. In the same way, we look beyond the trials and challenges of this life to the happiness and joy of heaven. As you realize, we have visual reminders of this joy- vestments and decorations in the Church.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice.” (Phil 4/4-5). St. Paul tells us in today’s entrance antiphon. Paul is speaking in the imperative, not making a request. And this command takes on greater weight when we consider the fact that he was writing, not from some Mediterranean beach or even from one of his successful mission trips; no, Paul was writing from prison. Amidst the trial of prison, he knew the presence of the Lord, and this brought him joy. The one who is at peace with God does not easily give in to anxiety. Joy, unlike happiness may be experienced as an enduring sense of satisfaction.
We do not rejoice because we believe Jesus came to bring heaven down to earth. Rather, we rejoice because we know that Jesus came to open a path from earth into heaven. Our interior joy arises not only because our Lord is near but because our Lord is with us. He is in us when we receive Him in Holy Communion and receive his pardon in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He is with us in the tabernacle and if we are keen enough to seek Him. He is with us in all the circumstances and events of our life.
In an astonishing scene from today’s Gospel reading, John asks Jesus, “Are you really the one we are waiting for or should we look for another?’ John came to announce a savior, but in his difficult imprisonment, he and his disciples began to wonder if the one he announced was truly the one. John’s heart is tempted to doubt. Yes, even saints can struggle. It is easy to doubt when difficulty comes our way and when life doesn’t treat us as we think we deserve.
Jesus responds as he often does. Rather than just answer, “I am the one”—which could easily be considered an empty claim—Jesus invites them to look at the evidence.” the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor find a new reason to hope. Jesus’ mission is to change lives and to save us from the blindness of egoism, the deafness of a hardened heart, and the closed mind that cannot accept the other.
Every year, we celebrate Christmas and sing that popular song, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!’, then we go back to reading the papers after Christmas and ask, “So where is the kingdom?” John’s question may become our question; Is Jesus the one or shall we look for another? The power of Christ’s coming at Christmas is not in the glitter of our decorations, the size of our trees or the numbers of our gifts. They are all good and help us to celebrate this great event. The power of Christ’s coming is shown in His entry into our lives to dwell there as a source of strength, faith, and redemption.
Just as Jesus pointed to his good works to reveal his identity as the Messiah, so we too should live so that our own good works witness who we are. Adolescence is usually considered to be the time when young people are seeking their identity but in reality, we spend our entire lives discovering and rediscovering who we are. Our truest identity is always in relation to Jesus, the Messiah.
Like Jesus, let us continue to reach out to those blinded by their own selfishness, lamed by their own indifference, diseased by their own heartlessness and deafened by their own conceit. But we need to be humble as John the Baptist was. It is not what we do but what Christ accomplishes in and through us. We are Christ’s messengers reflecting his good works.
‘Maranatha’- Come, Lord Jesus
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