| Reading 1 | Response | Reading 2 | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zep 3:14-18a | Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 | Phil 4:4-7 | Lk 3:10-18 |
| RCL: Zep 3:14-20 | RCL: Lk 3:7-18 |
| Liturgical note: Gaudete Sunday |
| The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. The Latin verb gaudete (gow-DAY-tay), which means “rejoice!”, comes from the entrance antiphon for the day: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I-say, Rejoice!” The liturgical color for Advent is purple, a color that calls us to metanoia: a change of mind and heart. Gaudete Sunday’s liturgical color is rose, a color that represents joy during this season of waiting. |
Advent: Rejoice because the Lord is near
Advent is the season of waiting and preparation, but today we are reminded Advent is also a season of rejoicing. The Gaudete Sunday readings focus on the soon-to-be-here Mightier One’s presence with and within the believing community.
First reading (Zep 3:14-18a)
The first reading is from Zephaniah, who prophesied during Josiah’s reign (640-609 BC), not long before the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem 587 BC and led the Jewish people into exile. In today’s pericope, the prophet strikes a unusually positive note. Most of Zephaniah’s writings describe the coming doom of “day of the Lord,” but he closes his work with God’s promise of restoration after exile. Zephaniah tells the people to rejoice (“shout for joy”) and sing, because “the Lord is in their midst, a mighty savior.” God’s judgement (their exile) is now past; now God will “renew you in God’s love.” God will “sing joyfully” with the people as they are renewed. The Lectionary editors chose this reading for its theme of joy and rejoicing because God is now in the midst of the people.
Second reading (Phil 4:4-7)
The second reading is from Paul’s letter to the Philippi ekklesia. Philippians is Paul’s letter of joy and rejoicing. In today’s pericope, Paul closes his letter with some final thoughts on prayer. Paul tells the Philippians to “rejoice” always, because “the Lord is near.” The Greek word translated as “near” has both a temporal and spatial meaning. Paul reminds the Philippians that the Lord is both coming soon in time and that the Lord is present always within their believing community. Paul assures the Philippians that they shouldn’t worry (“have no anxiety”) about the parousia, but instead offer prayers of hope and praise (“prayer”), of their needs (“petition”), and of gratitude (“thanksgiving”). The result of prayer is “the peace of God,” not simply an absence of conflict, but shalom: completeness, soundness, total well-being. What God offers “surpasses all understanding,” that is, God’s peace exceeds human ability to comprehend, or is outside human rationality, a subtle criticism of the limits of human philosophies, and a warning about limiting ideas of prayer. The Lectionary editors chose this reading for its anticipation of Jesus’ parousia and its theme of rejoicing.
Gospel (Lk 3:10-18)
In last week’s gospel (Lk 3:1-6), Luke placed the Baptizer within a religious tradition, calling people to metanoia. In this week’s pericope, the Baptizer gets very specific about what we need to turn from and whom we need to turn to.
- Turning away from selfishness, greed, and abuse of power. Those who seek baptism ask John, “What must we do?” The Baptizer instructs the crowd (regular people), tax agents (Roman collaborators), and soldiers (representatives of foreign occupiers) to show that they have changed their minds and hearts: metanoia means change. Those seeking baptism must show change: they must share what they have with those who have nothing; they must not extort others; they must not “shake down” or blackmail the powerless. The Baptizer does not require tax agents and soldiers to give up their jobs, but he does demand that they act with justice and mercy toward all.
- Turning towards the coming “Mightier One.” The Baptizer is not the messiah; he is preparing the way for the Mightier One who will baptize with “the Spirit and fire” (a prophecy about Pentecost). This Coming One will judge everyone, winnowing them into wheat (those who hear and follow him) and chaff (those who reject him). The Mightier One judges based on each person’s response to the “good news:” metanoia and acts of justice and mercy.
Summary and reflection
The Advent readings ask us to think about how we prepare ourselves to celebrate Jesus’ historical birth, and how ready we are for our future encounter with him. This week we take time to rejoice, because the Coming One is almost here. Zephaniah interrupts his warnings about “the day of the Lord” to remind the people to rejoice because God will restore the exiles. Paul reminds the Philippians to rejoice always and to pray always because the Lord is near. Luke shows the Baptizer teaching the meaning of and the reason for metanoia; the Mightier one is coming soon. How do we prepare and rejoice in Jesus’ coming in history, his liturgical and sacramental coming now, and his future return? Do we rejoice because the Lord is near, in our midst? Do we rejoice because our prayer brings God’s peace to us and our world? Do we rejoice in the good news, which brings God near to all through our acts of justice and mercy?
—Terence Sherlock
The Lectionary In Context 