Reflection/Homily for 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B 17thDecember 2023

Reflection/Homily for 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B 17thDecember 2023

Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11. Luke 1:46-48,49-50,53-54. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. John 1:6-8,19-28.

Theme: Live in Joy!

The third Sunday of Advent is known as the Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word "rejoice," and this imperative is taken from the entrance antiphon of today's liturgy, which begins with "rejoice."

The first words of the second reading also set the theme for this Sunday.

St. Paul tells the Thessalonians, "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess.5:16-17).

The Christian is a cheerful person: he is happy because Christ has shown him the meaning of life. Rich or poor, sick or healthy, the Christian should always be happy. For a Christian to rejoice and be truly happy, St. Paul says he must hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form of evil (cf.1 Thess.5:20).

In the first reading and the Responsorial Psalm, we hear a wonderful song in two voices. We have the voice of the Blessed Virgin Mary and that of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah tells us in the first reading, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (Isa.61:10). The Blessed Virgin Mary says, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed" ( Luke 1:46-48). Mary's song is a confirmation, a finishing touch of Isaiah's voice.

Isaiah magnifies God for the gift of grace. Mary also magnifies God for the gift of sublime grace, the greatest grace that a human being can receive.

The song of Mary is a hymn of gratitude for what God did for her as she was about to be the mother of our unborn Saviour.

In today's Gospel, the Jews wanted to know the identity of John, and they sent priests and Levites to tell them who he was? Whether he was the Messiah or not? In response, he said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord." They asked further, "Then why are you baptising if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the prophet?" (John 1:21). He answered them, "I baptise with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie" (John 1:26-27).

Being joyful entails living an authentic Christian life; that is, turning away from sin and all that entices us and returning to God wholeheartedly. To live happily and walk joyfully before God, we must be totally connected to Him in sincerity of purpose and integrity of life. We see this in the life of John the Baptist. He was real and authentic. He led others to Christ, not to himself. He did this in humility comparing himself to a level below a slave. He also advocated a change of heart and attitude.

To seek and do the will of God always brings about a change of heart as advocated by John the Baptist. Indeed, we must respond positively to this call and greatly rejoice in the Lord who has clothed us with the garments of salvation.

May God grant us the grace to do his will always and lead us to the path of eternal life through Christ our Lord. Amen.