Rejoice for Christmas

Third Sunday of Advent A
December 14, 2007
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
Psalm: 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

Rejoice!
On the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we all centered on joy, it is a time when we try to overcome our personal depressions, unnecessary worries, anxieties and whatever negative things we have in our mind.

This joyful spirit of this week is marked by the third candle of our Advent wreath, which is rose colored. Rose is a liturgical colour of happiness and joy. I should be wearing rose vestment today but I still don’t have one. Maybe next year I will just bleach my purple vestment with White King! (jk :)

The first reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah sets us to this joyful mode of the week. Isaiah writes, “They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.” He continues, “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy.”

During this week as we approach Christmas we are being reminded that our preparation and waiting for Christ’s birth must bring us the feeling of joy.

Christmas season is a time of joy. We must be joyful as Christmas gets nearer.

Unfortunately as our modern society race to consumerism and search for material goods during this time of the year instead of being joyful many people feel the exact opposite. Many people are tired and weary because of overspending in shopping centers and bargain hunting. According to statistics depression and suicide rates are high during Christmas season mainly because of our high expectation, greed and selfishness.

Human situation – happiness, sadness
But when we set our hearts focused to true meaning of Christmas, that is the incarnation of God, we move through this week rejoicing because our longing and waiting has prepared us to believe that the reign of God is close at hand.

This is the reason why during this week of Advent the liturgy invites to be happy and go rejoicing. Of course, we can get pleasure out of the Christmas shopping, the lights, receiving Christmas cards from people we haven't heard from since last year. But where can we find real deep, serene joy in the midst of a world in turmoil?

God wants us to be happy and joyful at all times. It is God’s will that we, his children to be happy, to have a big smile on our face, to have joyful hearts, he wants us to be cheerful, to enjoy life and live life to its fullness. Even though we all want to rejoice, the bare fact is that we rarely do, maybe because of various circumstances, problems and disappointments in our lives.

Depression is one of the greatest problems in our society today. The enemies of joy or what stop the person to be happy are fear, worry and anxiety. We don’t deny the hardship and suffering in our day to day life.

John the Baptist
The Gospel today in fact also bears that image of human suffering as John the Baptist was put to jail. He was put into prison and later he was beheaded.

Although he suffered a lot, the Gospel gives us a glimpse that he was a indeed a happy man. He is someone who is not conquered by fear, anxiety and worries in life. Deep within he is rejoicing, for only one reason, only because of Jesus.

We may have our own suffering and problem in our life today but there is always reason to reason to rejoice, we have Jesus to give us comfort and healing. The Gospel reading today gives us the reason to rejoice at the coming of the Messiah – “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

The key to rejoice even we are burden with all problem and suffering is found in the second reading today St. James' advises us to be patient and makes our hearts firm because the Lord is at hand.

As we pray today, we also rejoice that the Lord does not fail to show his power and might. Let us open our hearts and let God transform our lives. Let us be encouraged by today’s readings. They remind us that our lives can also be transformed if we are joyful, patient and place our trust in God.

We heard how Jesus healed the sick, forgave sinners, raised the dead. He wants to do the same with us in this Mass. He wants to help us. He wants us to be happy. He is only remedy from all our anxiety, fear and worry. Money, material possessions, popularity and beauty can never determine our happiness.

He is with us in this Eucharist. But we must want him and welcome him in our lives. With prayer in our hearts and with sincere willingness, let allow Jesus to grant us the grace we need.

Christ is our hope and joy. Let us rejoice! Amen.

Lord, help us to be joyful, prepared and ready for your coming. Amen

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source Fr Tony's homily