Third Sunday of Advent, Year B – Gaudete Sunday – Dec 17, 2023.
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11; Luke 1:46-50,53-54; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; Gospel John 1:6-8,19-28.
Theme: Imperative of Witnessing!
Sunday Synopsis
The Prophet Isaiah provides us with a blueprint for true witnessing – bringing the good news to the poor, binding up hearts that are broken and proclaiming a year of favour from the Lord. In the second reading, St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians to rejoice and not suppress the gift of prophesy with contempt. The Johannine text notes that John came crying out in the wilderness as a witness who spoke for the light that all may believe. John’s spectacular humility urges us to embrace a witnessing that is anchored on Christ whose coming we look forward to at Christmas.
Introduction
Friends in Christ today is Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday invites us to rejoice in the Lord always. Gaudete, taken from Philippians 4:4-5 “Gaudete in Domino semper” (Rejoice in the Lord always) comes from the first word in Latin of the Introit, the entrance antiphon at Mass. The Prophet Isaiah (Cf. Is. 35:1-6a.10) calls us to rejoice because the glory and majesty of the Lord would appear. He emphatically states that we shall obtain the joy and gladness of the Lord and our sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Background and Summary of the Readings
The Prophet Isaiah (Is. 61:1-2,10-11) provides us with a blueprint for true witnessing. Convinced of his divine anointing, being clothed in the garments of salvation, and wrapped in the cloak of integrity, he discloses that he was sent to bring the good news to the poor, bind up hearts that are broken and proclaim a year of favour from the Lord. The prophet also likens himself to a bridegroom wearing his wreath and a bride adorned in her jewels while stating that the Lord would stamp integrity and praise among the nations.
In the second reading (1 Thess. 5:16-24), St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians to rejoice and not suppress the gift of prophesy with contempt. St. Paul further suggests that it is always necessary to think before one does anything, embrace what is good and avoid any kind of wrongdoing. In line with the witnessing of words, action, presence, and blood, the second reading challenges us to be blameless in spirit, soul and body for the coming of Christ.
The Johannine text (Jn. 1:6-8,19-28) notes that John came crying out in the wilderness as a witness who spoke for the light that all may believe. The spectacular nature of John’s witnessing is his humility to acknowledge that he was not the Christ. He charges his hearers to “make a straight way for the Lord.”
Pastoral Lessons
1. Embrace prophetic action: The prophet Isaiah like John challenge us to embracing prophetic action by crying out in the wilderness of injustice and wars through – binding up broken hearts, proclaiming liberty to captives and freedom to those in prison.
2. Take to verbal witnessing: Advent challenges us take to verbal witnessing like John the Baptist by entrenching the Great Commission (Cf. Matthew 28:16-20) through preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth.
3. Embrace witnessing of action. We are charged to give flesh to action-oriented apostolates in our parishes, schools, hospitals, prisons and orphanages by putting a smile on the faces of the afflicted at Advent and beyond.
4. Practice witnessing of presence: The witnessing of presence challenges Christians who live and work in countries which are hostile to the faith to not be afraid of quietly living out their faith in the secular sphere.
5. Be humble, rejoice: Amid wars in Ukraine and the middle east, Gaudete Sunday invites us to shun pride in order to embrace humility even as we rejoice because Christmas is in sight.
Summary Lines
1. The Prophet Isaiah provides us with a blueprint for true witnessing.
2. In the second reading, St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians to rejoice and not suppress the gift of prophesy with contempt.
3. St. Paul further suggests that it is always necessary to think before one does anything.
4. The Johannine text notes that John came crying out in the wilderness as a witness who spoke for the light that all may believe.
5. The spectacular nature of John’s witnessing is his humility to acknowledge that he was not the Christ.
Conclusion
Today, some Christians seem shy to identify as Catholics in secular institutes or organisations. This is because they do not want to lose their jobs. Jesus insists: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory… (Luke 9:26). Inspired by John’s blockbuster testimony in the wilderness, I pray that we would take to heroic witnessing as we await the coming of Christ. Have a great week ahead!
