December 15, 2024, Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)
Today’s readings:
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18.
Second Reading: Phil. 4:4-7
The Gospel: Lk. 3:10-18
The third Sunday of advent is known as Gaudete Sunday which means ‘Rejoice Sunday ‘.
People would be wondering why we need to rejoice while so many people are undergoing a very difficult and tough time.
One thing is certain about life; difficulties and tough times are part of the integral situation of human history.
There is no time in the history of humankind people do not experience one hard situation or another.
What actually makes a person outstanding is the ability to face the difficult times with courage, joy and optimism.
This would be a better way to look at the way people suffer in different parts of the world at the moment.
Now, coming to our celebration, why is this Sunday called Rejoice Sunday?
Firstly, it’s because salvation is near at hand. The Messiah is coming soon.
Secondly, the Lord is coming to remove our judgment and deliver us from the hands of our enemies. This we see in the first reading which reads, “Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies.”
Thirdly, we are not to fear since God is in our midst-Emmanuel.
What are we afraid of? We have our Lord who says, “the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.”
We need only to trust in God, knowing that He will not disappoint us. One of the tricks of the enemy is to make us fear, to think that we can make it by our own strength and power. We need only to trust in the power and protection of God.
The Second reading still emphasizes the importance of rejoicing.
Happiness is a sign of holiness. The evil one uses sadness to imprison Christians. A true Christian must be a happy person. St. John Bosco used to tell his boys that the church does not need sad saints. If we must be saints, it should manifest in our joyous ways of doing things.
The Gospel tells us that we can be holy and happy Christians by being generous, treating our fellow human beings well by taking care of the poor, the hungry, the sick, the homeless persons and so on.
We pray for the grace of God to be happy people. May Almighty God bless us and protect us from the hands of the evil one through Christ our Lord Amen.
Have a lovely and blessed Gaudete Sunday.
Rev. Fr. Ambrose Onyeka Anene SDB, is the Parish Priest of Church of the Archangels, Gaduwa, Abuja.
