The closer the Lord is to us, the more joy we feel; the farther away he is, the more sadness we feel.
by Fr Peter Pagac SDB
Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent C – 12 December 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The invitation to joy is characteristic of the season of Advent:
the expectation of Jesus’ birth is like when we await the visit of a person we love very much, it could be a friend or a relative whom we have not seen for a long time...
This dimension of joy emerges today, the Third Sunday, also called Gaudete Sunday.
St Paul, in his letter to the Philippians says:
“Rejoice in the Lord always”. “Rejoice!”:
What is the reason for this joy?
That “the Lord is at hand”.
The closer the Lord is to us, the more joy we feel; the farther away he is, the more sadness we feel.
A philosopher once said something more or less like this: “I do not understand how one can believe today, because those who say they believe have a face from a funeral wake. They do not bear witness to the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ”.
Many Christians have that face from a funeral wake, a face of sadness... But Christ is risen! Christ loves you! And you have no joy?
Perhaps we can ask ourselves, what is the source of my joy?
“Do I have joy because the Lord is close to me, because the Lord loves me, because the Lord has redeemed me?”.
Let us see what was the source of joy for people of Israel.
The prophet Zephaniah addresses these words to a small group of the people of Israel: “Sing aloud, O Daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!”
The inhabitants of the Holy City are called to rejoice because the Lord has taken away his judgments against them.
God has forgiven. He doesn’t want to punish his people.
As a result, the people have no longer reason for sadness. There is no longer reason for desolation and despair, but everything leads to joyful gratitude toward God, who always wishes to save his people.
Saint Paul, too, exhorts us today to have no anxiety, to have no despair about anything, but in every circumstance, to make our requests, our needs, our worries known to God “by prayer and supplication”.
Knowing that we can always turn to the Lord in our troubles, and that he never rejects our supplications, is a great reason for joy.
However, there are things in our lives which could deprive us of peace and joy, things we would rather never done.
Honesty with God and ourselves is the only way to freedom, peace, and joy. Although it can cause us sadness, but is this sadness leads us to repentance, that sadness is just a necessary way to real joy.
Jesus calls these people blessed “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. (Sacrament of the Reconciliation next Sunday at 5.30pm)
Let us ask ourselves, just like those who, after listening to the preaching of John the Baptist, ask him: “What then shall we do”.
What should I do? This question is the first step for the conversion that we are called to carry out during this Season of Advent. Let each of us ask ourself: what should I do? Perhaps a very small thing, but “what should I do?”.
And may the Virgin Mary, who is our mother, help us open our heart to the God-who-comes, so that he may shower our whole life with joy.
(Taken and adapted from a reflection of Pope Francis for the 3rd Advent Sunday)
Bidding Prayer Third Sunday of Advent - Year C
Priest:
Saint Paul bids us be happy in the Lord, and make our requests known to God through prayer and petition. Let us answer his call and pray for those who are in need.
Reader:
For joy in the Church throughout the world as, led by Pope Francis, we announce the Good News of the coming of the Lord. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who find this season difficult through anxiety, depression, loneliness or money problems. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For children everywhere who are eagerly looking forward to Christmas: may they be safe, cared for and loved. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For our young parishioners who will be confirmed this weekend that they would be open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
That all who have food and clothing and shelter might share it abundantly with those who are in need. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who have died and for those who grieve for them: James Lamerton and George Ekow Kennedy. For John Bell, John Leonard and John Tuohy whose anniversaries occur around this time. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For the prayers we hold in our hearts, that they will be heard and answered by Our Merciful God. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let’s ask our blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for us as we say: Hail Mary…
Priest:
Let your peace, which is beyond our understanding, keep our hearts and thoughts in expectation of the return of your Son whose coming is certain and whose day draws near, our Lord for ever and ever.
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