Sunday, December 15th, 2019. The Third Sunday of Advent.
You will be un-lacking of joy.
“Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God…”
Isaiah 35: 3-4
When was the last time you truly rejoiced (joy filled)? And by what? Is it something you did?…Or is something that you saw? The readings this third week of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) are about ‘joy’, Christmas is just a few weeks away. We rejoice for the coming and presence of God to all who open their hearts to him will be a source of an enduring joy. Jesus comes to re-assure and to restore us again.
In the First Reading, Isaiah speaks of a messianic time coming, when God’s people, stripped of hope by the power of Edom, will be ‘lifted up’. They will experience the 'joy of restoration': the feeble will be strengthened again, the weak of knees will be firm again, and the frightened will be strong, all of this , because 'God is here'! God comes to encourage and restore, to bring back joy.
It is shocking to listen to John the Baptist’s query: ‘Are you the one who is to come or should we wait for another?” (Who would know this better than John himself?). Why did John doubt? Was he and his disciples sort of over expecting something else of Jesus? Were they mistaken? Did the totally unassuming nature of Jesus disappoint them? (Not as in-your-face and forceful as John the Baptist). Jesus tells those John sent to tell him what they see and hear: the blind regain their sight again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the poor receive Good news. God’s work of restoration and encouragement is in full gear! (Which means yes, the messiah has come.)
We who listen to the readings are challenged to continue the mission of restoring and encouraging others, to bring others back to joy. In a world where if you look attentively, you are sure to find many who have never experienced this kind of joy or are being deprived of it by forces beyond themselves. Do not let another be forgotten, ‘build’ another back, learn to restore, encourage and hearten others. We must especially refuse the attitudes, mannerisms in our language or conversation that puts down or de-spirits others when they do not meet our personal standards, measure or expectation. The ‘scandal’ of Jesus must continue, which is: the least in whatever situation or moment take first priority. That is why Jesus says they are even greater than John the Baptist.
When you put effort and prayer (patience) into the above, you will not be lacking in ‘true’ joy ever.
A Blessed week in the Lord!
Fr. Anthony
CLICK HERE for an understanding of the Advent Season.
CLICK HERE for an understanding of the Christmas Season.
View the below video for another Sunday Reflection on the readings.
