This third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This name is taken from the entrance antiphon of our Sunday’s liturgy, which is also echoed in the second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say Rejoice.” Holy Family Catholic Community marks this special Sunday of Advent by lighting a third candle, this time pink instead of purple, on our Advent wreath. This third Sunday of Advent reminds us that our relationship with God defines who we are as Catholic Christians. We believe that our very “being,” and every other human being, is blessed through God’s loving presence. This is the message of St. John the Baptist as he prepares the way of the Lord, inviting us into a rich, authentic, honest, and selfless relationship with God that is also about service to others. The season of Advent challenge us in unique and personal ways to look at our own lives in the context of love and service. Let us use the words of St. John the Baptist to examine our lives:
Are the valleys of our own feelings of emptiness being filled, and are the mountains or obstacles in our lives being lowered?
Are we clearing out these obstacles to prepare for the Lord’s return?
Are we engaging in actions that show we have turned away from selfishness and toward true service?
What and who is the source of our Advent hope?
In today’s gospel, St. John does not hesitate to call into question a human foundational belief and perspective that my personal property and possessions belong to me. St. John knows that the human heart is often unsatisfied with what it has is always wanting more. St. John puts things in a new perspective. Everything we have does not belong to us, is not our own, but belongs first and foremost to God. St. John reminds us that God has abundantly blessed us and now calls us to share our blessings more freely with one another. A life turned towards God understands and lives this truth. The repentant heart learns to understand ownership from this new perspective, and that doing good for others takes precedence over our own creature comforts. That is a hard message to absorb. One of the first fruits of genuine repentance St. John is seeking is a life turned toward God and sharing all that we have, not begrudgingly, but joyfully. Repenting is primarily about changing our hearts and perspectives, removing any selfish obstacles, and turning more freely to God.
St. John tells the crowd that whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none and to do the same with their food. He preaches that our relationship with God is not about social separation or about the right way, or even the best way, to worship and pray to God. St. John believes that an authentic relationship with God is uniquely about how we look out for the stranger and care for the needs of one another. Jesus builds on this very same message. The idea that St. John teaches involves a uniquely unselfish approach to life and a more compassionate inclusivity of one another. In very practical ways, we are invited to be detached from our possessions, make sure that the basic needs of others are met, and turn toward God in unselfish ways.
When God becomes the most important part of our identity, we put joy back into our hearts and in the lives of our family, friends, community, nation, and world. God genuinely and uniquely loves us, is patient with us, and invites us to reciprocate His love for one another. Through this relationship with God, we believe that every person is made in God’s beautiful image. Since everyone is invited to connect with God, we need to find significant ways to connect with one another. Our appreciation for the life of others and their well-being encourages us to create relationships that are significant, selfless and sacrificial. When we realize that we are all God’s children, we see a renewed hope in our relationships with one another. This mid-point of Advent alerts us to the important issues of social justice and equality among all God’s people.
As the faith community of Holy Family, we are called to value one another for who we are and not for what we can do for one another. When this becomes our way of thinking, our daily interactions will give us reasons to rejoice. As we value others more, it changes us, deepens our connections with others, and love grows exponentially. When we know that the people in our lives are meant to be loved, served and valued, we begin to see how God loves, serves and values us every day of our lives.
This weekend, let us be attentive to St. John the Baptist’s words of faith with the tax collectors, soldiers, and crowds to not overcharge, to share from their surplus with the needy, and to not exploit anyone. May we be reminded of our own and every other person’s dignity and self-worth. St. John reminds us that Jesus comes into the world to live and love according to the truths of everyone’s human dignity and equality. May every person know that they are precious, uniquely made, and are all a valuable part of God’s creation. God invites us to know Him because He already knows us and loves us deeply and intimately.
Fr. Rich Jakubik