3rd Sunday of Advent: Rejoice in the Lord Always (Fr. Francis)
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
In the tradition of the liturgical calendar, the third Sunday in advent is often called “Gaudete Sunday”. ‘Gaudete’ means ‘rejoice’ in Latin. It comes from the first word of today’s entrance antiphon from the words of St. Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! The Lord is near.” Having passed the midpoint of advent, our joy gets more and more intense as we advance on our journey of faith.
The liturgical readings of this Sunday of advent are about the coming of the Messiah and they are a hymn of joy. In the first reading the prophet Isaiah announces that the Messiah will come; in the gospel reading Mathew tells us that the Messiah has come; and in the second reading the apostle James tells us that the Messiah will come again. All these three readings give us a message of hope that fills us with Joy. Pope Francis said, one of the most needed virtues of modern time is hope, which is something must never be abandoned no matter how hard life gets, and which often expressed in the simple act of a smile.
As Christians we are all called to rejoice always in the Lord. “There is no event or circumstance that can occur in the life of any Christian that should diminish that Christian’s joy.” How can we so live that we rejoice always? How can we live in undiminished joy? How can we transcend all events, and all circumstances, that occur so that nothing touches our joy? Why should I obey the command to always rejoice? I’ve got problems in my life, I’ve got difficulties, things aren’t going the way I want, I don’t have the job I want, I don’t have the circumstances I want, it’s not all the way I like it. My parents do not treat me as I should be, my children do not agree with my ideas! Why should I rejoice always? How should I rejoice always?…
The Bible has the answer. Joy is discussed both in the Old and the New Testament, and there are numerous locations in Scripture where similar commands are given, not the least of which would be Phil 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.” In 1 Peter 4:13, Peter says, “To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing.” 2 Cor 6:10, Paul writes, “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” The word “rejoice” was used, certainly, by the early church. You remember that out of the council came those who had been worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ, and they came saying that it was their privilege to have so suffered, and they were rejoicing over that.
There are a number of occasions in the book of Acts, not only that one in 5:41, but a number of other ones, where we see the incessant, unending, independent joy of the early church. Paul and Silas, not being the least, were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, while locked in a stinking dungeon, with their limbs stretched as far as they could reach, and then slammed into stocks. The agony of the stretching and the taut muscles cramping would be beyond description, and yet they were singing hymns and experiencing Christian joy.
Should we rejoice always? Absolutely. Why? In appreciation of the character of God, the work of Christ, the ministry of the Spirit; an act of appreciation for supernatural blessings, divine providence, future glory, answered prayer, the Scripture, Catholic Church and gospel preaching.
What is it that hinders joy? What steals it? Some of us think having plenty would bring us happiness, if conditions are fulfilled I will be happy, If I have no worries I feel happy etc.. there are also other things that hinder being happy people are Satan, ignorance, unbelief, ingratitude, false expectations, pride, forgetfulness, prayerlessness, feelings and emotions.
Let us place ourselves in the Lord and we will be happy and rejoicing persons always.
Rejoice in the Lord Always!
Fr. A. Francis HGN