3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C) — GAUDETE SUNDAY

1st Reading                  Zephaniah 3: 14-18a

Psalm                             Isaiah 12: 2-3. 4bcde. 5- 6 (R. 6)

R:// "Shout, and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel"

2nd Reading              Philippians 4:4-7

Gospel                         Luke 3: 10-18

REJOICE! THE LORD IS IN OUR MIDST

Beloved, today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year C). The mood of this particular Sunday is quite unusual because the liturgical colour changes to Rose/Pink, the tone and voice of the readings shift in focus, and there is a sudden glimpse of Christmas. Additionally, the third Advent Candle is lighted and its colour is Rose/Pink. The Rose is the result of the addition of white to violet or purple. What it means is that we are beginning to feel Christmas but not in its fullness. We only have a glimpse. Our redemption (our salvation, and our freedom) is very close at hand. Therefore, we are called to REJOICE. Rightly so, this Sunday is called GAUDETE SUNDAY. Gaudete is the imperative to Rejoice. The Word of God this Sunday succinctly highlights that central theme for us. The readings have us the actual reasons why we must rejoice.

The first reading is from Zephaniah 3: 14-18a. Actually, we are heading towards the end of this particular book. We find the author asking the inhabitants of Jerusalem to rejoice. In fact, there are four imperatives to rejoice (v. 14) for four reasons (v. 15) — the Lord has taken away the judgment against you; he has cast out your enemies; The Lord is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more. 

The first set is that Jerusalem will have no enemies to fear. There are two enemies. There is the internal enemy which is the cause of Jerusalem's destruction. This is the personal aspect of destruction. The root of every destruction comes from the self. The Lord has pronounced freedom and redemption for the self and the removal of the cause of the destruction. The second enemy is the external enemy. Zephaniah is prophesying around the year 630 BC and this was a period marked by a turbulent international scene. The Assyria Empire dominated the Ancient Near East in 721 BC and destroyed the Northern Kingdom. The Babylonian Empire took its place and destroyed Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom in 587 BC. Zephaniah will witness drastic international changes. The second enemy is the one outside causing the destruction. The Lord is about to take them out.

The second set of reasons for which we should rejoice is that "the Lord is in your midst". In Advent, we emphasize the name "Emmanuel", which means "God is with us". We should see a profound connection between Emmanuel and the Lord's presence in our midst. The presence of the Lord is divine intervention and restoration. It also points to the defensive character of God. Wherever the Lord is, new things occur and there is victory.

At the centre of the first reading is the phrase "On that Day" (v. 16a). Remember that Zephaniah spoke about "the Day of the Lord" and said, it “will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Zephaniah 1:15–16). Now, there is a great reversal of the phenomenon. There is no need to fear or grow weary. In the battle against the current situation of gloom darkness, and destruction, the Lord, the mighty conqueror who is in our midst, will grant us victory. 

The Gospel passage is from Luke 3: 10-18. John replies to three groups of people. He responds to questions about clothing and feeding, finance, and oppression. Immediately, the author says these people had the feeling of expectancy, questioning whether John the Baptist was the Christ or not. Why that?

John the Baptist spoke about "tunic". The Greek word used is "chiton", and this refers to an undergarment. This is a garment worn close to the skin. It is a sleeveless shirt reaching below the knees. Worn close to the skin, it becomes an image of intimacy and that which one is closely attached to. Give what you value and dear to you. 

The second is financial freedom. In fact, tax collectors should not cheat. They are not to exploit the marginalized. The soldiers should not oppress. Oppression is a sign of exile. You can be exiled in your own land. 

Realise that those asking the questions are those who are in the hem of affairs. The fact that a person has two tunics and can afford sufficient food means that there is wealth. The tax collectors are in charge of money. The soldiers are to protect the city and the inhabitants. What is pointed out is the duty towards the marginalized. If we are to see the Lord in our midst and drive out both the internal and external enemies, it is our duty to our kind that will heal us. Social injustice is one of the reasons why the destruction took place (Zephaniah 3: 1-5). When you are not kind to your own kind, there is sure destruction and division. When there is destruction, there is exile. If we are to experience true joy, prepare adequately, and come out of exile, it is solidarity and social justice. 

Pax et Bonum