Third Sunday of Advent (2)
Eschatological anticipated joy is seen in the readings for gaudete Sunday; that is, we can rejoice in anticipation of the coming of the king. We can also grow in virtue in preparation for him. That is seen in Zephaniah, Philippians, and Luke. Therefore meditate on that coming.
Title
Outline
There is a beautiful word in German that I discovered decades ago, Eschatalogischevorfreude
Zephaniah sets the tone:
We see it in Paul, who is sitting in prison
And that is behind what John’s announcement of the kingdom
Sisters, meditate on this rather than on the newspapers and the media that follows them
Readings
FIRST READING
Zephaniah 3:14–18a
14 Shout for joy, daughter Zion!
sing joyfully, Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
daughter Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, Zion,
do not be discouraged!
17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior,
Who will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
Who will sing joyfully because of you,
18 as on festival days.
I will remove disaster from among you,
so that no one may recount your disgrace.
RESPONSE
Isaiah 12:6
6 Shout with exultation, City of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
PSALM
Isaiah 12:2–6
2 God indeed is my salvation;
I am confident and unafraid.
For the LORD is my strength and my might,
and he has been my salvation.
3 With joy you will draw water
from the fountains of salvation,
4 And you will say on that day:
give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
Among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
5 Sing praise to the LORD for he has done glorious things;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
6 Shout with exultation, City of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
SECOND READING
Philippians 4:4–7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! 5 Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
(cited in Luke 4:18)
Isaiah 61:1
1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
release to the prisoners,
GOSPEL
Luke 3:10–18
10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
Notes
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021 | ADVENT
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
First Reading Zephaniah 3:14–18a
Response Isaiah 12:6
Psalm Isaiah 12:2–6
Second Reading Philippians 4:4–7
Gospel Acclamation Isaiah 61:1 (cited in Luke 4:18)
Gospel Luke 3:10–18