Rejoice In the Lord Always

Introduction

We have come to the 3rd Sunday of Advent traditionally known as “Gaudete” meaning Rejoice, and we wear rose colored vestments. It might not be so easy for some to be in such a joyful mood these days, especially when so many people are still suffering from great socioeconomic headships brought down by this virus and lock-downs, God only knows the full extent the individual human toll. But there is much we can rejoice in our Jesus Christ, because this kind of rejoicing is not only a feeling and expression of joy, but it is also an action we choose.

Body

Our 1st reading from Isaiah was prophecy-ed six century BC, and Jesus reads this passage right after he returns from his 40 days in the desert, in a synagogue at his home town in Nazareth on a Sabath. The Jews at that time were in bondage, and oppressed under the rule of the Roman empire. They hand him the scroll and he reads, I have come to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captive, to release the prisoner, to comfort all who mourn. These words of Jesus were so true and comforting or the Jews 2000 years ago and are so for us in 2020. The Prophet after penning these words bursts out in hearty rejoicing in the Lord, praising God. How much more can we rejoice praising God for the Jesus we know, who has defeated sin and death on the cross, and risen from the dead victorious to liberate all who come to him. Alleluia.

Conclusion

In our Gospel John the Baptist humbly admits, that he is not the Messiah, not Elijah, and not the Prophet, He says he is “the voice of the one crying out in the desert, Make straight the way of the Lord.” St. Augustine says John is the voice but the Lord Jesus is the Word who was in the beginning. The voice last for a time to convey the understanding of the Word, the voice goes away, but the Word lives for ever in our hearts. I have come to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captive, to release the prisoner, to comfort all who mourn. His words make it straight to the hearts and brings us joy. The apostle Paul says rejoice always, pray without ceasing. This is a joy that we choose to be joyful in because of all the great things God has done through Jesus Christ His Son our Lord. Amen +