| Reading 1 | Response | Reading 2 | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is 35:1-6a, 10 RCL: Is 35:1-10 |
Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 | Jas 5:7-10 | Mt 11:2-11 |
| Liturgical note: Gaudete Sunday |
|---|
| The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete (gow-DAY-tay), Latin for “rejoice,” comes from the entrance antiphon for the day:
Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: Dominus prope est. The liturgical color for Advent is purple, a color that reminds us of our need for conversion and change. Gaudete Sunday’s liturgical color is rose, a color that represents joy during this season of waiting. |
Advent: Rejoice! God is near!
During Advent’s unfolding narrative and liturgy, the Lectionary encourages us to look back to Jesus’ historical incarnation, to look forward to Jesus’ parousia, and to look at our readiness now as disciples. This week’s readings are stories of rejoicing during patient waiting.
The first reading is from the prophet Isaiah, specifically Second Isaiah, a prophet to the exiles in Babylon. His prophecy is a metaphor for the restoration of the defeated people of Israel. Isaiah urges the exiles to “be strong, do not fear. Your God is near!” Mighty acts of salvation and healing accompany God’s presence: the blind see, the deaf hear, the crippled walk, and the voiceless sing. In Matthew’s gospel, these mighty acts become the blessings of the messianic age. The Lectionary editors chose this reading because it features rejoicing appropriate to this point in Advent. Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ incarnation and our salvation, is near. Our waiting is almost over; we rejoice.
The second reading is from the letter attributed to James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem ekklesia. The Jewish leaders executed James in 62 AD. Scripture scholars believe this letter (or sermon) dates from the 70s or 80s. The author calls for patient endurance within the context of a world awaiting the Lord’s return, which will bring both judgement and salvation (“their reward”). The parousia is “near at hand” and the judge is “standing at the door.” The author sees the believing community poised at the end-time, and they must “persevere” against evil. “Complaining about” or criticizing someone is essentially passing judgement on that person; the author warns his hearers not to judge others, or God will do the same to them. The Lectionary editors chose this reading because it focuses on patient waiting for Jesus’ return. As an Advent reading, it asks today’s believing community to look forward with rejoicing not only to Jesus’ parousia but also to Jesus’ incarnation.
Matthew’s gospel continues to explore John the Baptizer and his connection to Jesus. John asks who Jesus is, and Jesus tells the crowds who John is.
- Who is Jesus? John, imprisoned by Herod, sends disciples to ask Jesus “are you the messiah?” John questions Jesus’ messiahship because the messiah was not a universally understood figure in first-century Judaism. John expects a messiah of divine judgement who will “burn the chaff in un-extinguishable fire.” Jesus responds by listing signs of God’s presence from Hebrew scripture: the blind see, the crippled walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are alive again, and the poor hear the good news. Jesus’ signs are not a prelude to something else; they proclaim God’s kingdom as it is. God’s kingdom triumphs not by crushing its opposition but by submitting to it. The kingdom’s leader is a servant of all.
- Who is John? In lifestyle and message, John presented himself as a prophet. Jesus reveals John’s identity to the crowd in two Hebrew scripture quotes. “I send my messenger ahead of you” (Ex 23:20). John is the prophet who announces the “coming one.” “He will prepare the way” (Mal 3:1). John also fulfills Hebrew scripture by leading the Jewish people toward a new promised land. Jesus’ final saying suggests that John is a great prophet of the past. From Jesus’ perspective, John belongs to another age, not to Jesus’ messianic age.
This week’s readings, and all Advent readings, ask us to consider Jesus’ coming in history, his liturgical and sacramental coming now, and his future return. Isaiah promises that God is drawing near his defeated people; they should rejoice. The author of James exhorts his hearers to patient waiting because the Lord’s return is at hand. Jesus reveals that God’s presence is near and the kingdom’s works can be seen. This is the reason for joy this Advent season: Jesus has come in history and saved us; Jesus is present daily in word and sacrament; Jesus will come again to complete the kingdom. Can we see God’s presence among us? Are we waiting joyfully with patient kindness? Are we living in God’s present kingdom, or are we looking for something better?
—Terence Sherlock
The Lectionary In Context 