Today is the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. The word Gaudete comes from Latin, meaning “Rejoice.” Today, the Church invites us to rejoice because our salvation is here! The Church’s invitation to us to rejoice today raises many questions. Considering our present-day realities, is there really any reason to rejoice? Is there any cause for rejoicing when we think of terrorism, government irresponsibility experienced in almost all countries of the world, scandals from religious leaders, betrayal from friends, climate change, health challenges, loss of dear ones, financial challenges, and broken homes?
Even though the readings invite us to rejoice today, the circumstances surrounding those in the passages make us wonder, “Really?” In the first reading, Zephaniah said, “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” But what were the circumstances surrounding Zephaniah when he pronounced those words? He lived during one of the most challenging periods in the history of Israel. Corruption was everywhere in Jerusalem: the kings, the priests, the prophets, the judges were corrupt. The people betrayed their God and became very immoral. Yet, he was inviting his audience to shout for joy. Really? In the second reading, St. Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Brothers and Sisters, rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” Where was Paul when he wrote those uplifting words? He was in prison. Yet he called his audience to rejoice. Really?
The Gospel passage ends by telling us, “Exhorting them in many other ways, [John] preached the good news to the people.” This passage refers to John’s words as “good news.” How did he begin to deliver the good news? Three verses before today’s passage, “John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” Really? Would you take it as good news if your priest addresses you as a family member of snakes? These Jews understood from the Old Testament that as children of Abraham, they were insured and assured of salvation. But John told them, “If you do not repent as an individual, that insurance will be meaningless.” The claim to Abraham’s promise only makes sense if a person expresses Abraham’s faith. John said, “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Really? How is that good news?
The people who first heard those words from John took it as good news. It seemed they were ignorant of the doom that awaited them, but there was no arrogance in their ignorance. So they asked John, “What should we do?” In other words, “We appreciate that you have told us we are on the wrong path. Could you please redirect us?” Instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach, John began to address them according to their individual groups: to the soldiers, John said, “Do not abuse your power; do not bully anyone.” Turning to the tax collectors, he said, “You must not charge more than the required / official amount.” And to the ordinary Jews, he said, “Share your food and your clothing with your brothers and sisters.”
So, there lies the good news! As long as there is life, there is hope. Who we are now, where we are now, and how we are now, are the raw materials God needs for our salvation. All he needs from us is our cooperation. As long as there is life, we are never out of God’s reach; all he needs is our readiness to work with him. God meets us where we are, so our repentance begins where we are. John did not ask those in his audience to change their occupations; he only asked them to do their jobs correctly, and they would be good to go! Your profession is not an excuse for committing sins. We can remain in our profession, our state of life, and our neighborhood and still become Saints. That is the good news: if you will, you may bloom where you are planted.
Should John the Baptist show up at Mass today, he will tell us Catholics, “Do not deceive yourselves by thinking that going to a Catholic School, belonging to all the societies in the Church, and receiving all the sacraments are enough for you.” As important as those are, we must bloom as individuals and bear fruits that correspond with our Catholic faith in order to be saved. My dearly beloved in Christ, there lies the good news: God does not require us to do whatever is impossible for us to do. He wants us to be nice where we are. Zephaniah found joy even in his difficult moments. Paul invited his audience to rejoice even while he was in prison. John the Baptist helped his listeners understand how they could make heaven without changing jobs. So, we also have every reason to rejoice amid the changes and chances of this life, and we have no excuse to remain in sin. If half of the energy we put into finding excuses for not doing what we ought to do goes into finding the means to do them, the world would be a better place. According to Stephen Dolley Jr, “A man who wants to be something will find a way; a man who doesn’t will find an excuse.” Remember, the past is only an explanation for the present and never an excuse. May this commemoration of the first coming of Christ strengthen us in our resolve to become better versions of ourselves until we come to our heavenly inheritance through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Homily for 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) Year C 2024
I always enjoy your thoughts and words Fada!
Keith