Third Sunday of Advent [C]

December 12, 2021

Luke 3:10-18

Phil 4:4-8

The third Sunday of Advent is well known as Gaudete Sunday, or the rejoicing Sunday. The lovely Sunday takes its root from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, our second reading for the mass. St. Paul reminds the Christians in Philippi to rejoice always [Phil 4:4]. Thus, Gaudete Sunday invites us to possess that lasting joy, and must not be gloomy while we are preparing ourselves for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

if we try to closely reflect St. Paul’s words, we will discover something utterly amazing. St. Paul is not simply advising us to rejoice from time to time, but he commands us to rejoice all the time! How is it possible? Sadness and sorrow are inevitable parts of our lives. We are sad when we experience failures, we mourn when we lose someone important in our lives, and we feel the pain when we are hurt. It seems that St. Paul was overly optimistic about life. Yet, Paul simply teaches the truth. On a deeper level, sorrow and joy are not contradictory. For Paul, we can have a profound joy despite our sadness and sufferings.

If we try to examine Paul’s life, we will have a better understanding of what he means. Paul used to be the archenemy and persecutor of the Church, but after he encountered Jesus, he repented and became a zealous apostle of Christ. Was his life getting better after following Jesus? Not at all! Paul himself shared many hardships he had to endure for the sake of Christ and His body. Often, he got stoned, bitten, and imprisoned. When he was traveling, he endured the scourging sun and the freezing nights. Sometimes, he faced betrayals and false brothers. Yet, most of all, he had to take care of his flocks with all their problems and stubbornness.

His final ordeal was when he was under house arrest in Rome. He was waiting for his trial before Caesar, and the future was bleak as Nero the mad man was the emperor. He was in the chain and a Roman soldier constantly watched over him. Yet, despite this, he wrote a letter to the Philippians and asked them to rejoice always. How is it even possible?

The secrets are within the same letter. After commanding the Philippians to rejoice always, St. Paul asked for two things: do not worry about anything and to pray in thanksgiving always. Firstly, Paul was indeed in terrible situations, but he was not worried because he entrusted his life to God. He had faith that God would take care of him well. Secondly, Paul offered everything to the Lord in his prayer. More remarkably, he gave thanks always in his prayers. Paul even was able to appreciate ‘bad things’ in his life as an opportunity to praise the Lord. This is the secret of joy according to St. Paul. Do not worry, pray and be grateful!

What is more fascinating is that the word thanksgiving used by Paul in Greek is ‘eucharistia’. This reminds us of all that at the core of our worship is thanksgiving. Everytime we worship the Lord in the mass, we throw away our anxiety, offer our lives, and give thanks for everything we have received. Thus, joy is the inevitable result of our worship.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP