Third Sunday in Advent: Gaudete!
Is 35:1-6a, 10; James 5:7-10; Matt 11:2-11
Today Isaiah proclaims: “The desert and the parched land will exult and rejoice,” The desert is us. We are in the desert of Advent. It is cold and dark. This is Gaudete Sunday, Rejoice Sunday. Where do we need to see the light? Advent is a time of penitential purple, of self-examination of this week’s penance service yet we wear a lighter color today; we light the rose candle. The light is grows brighter. Where is it in your life? Is God’s light already there and you need patient watching to see it?
Where is our light? Consider our malls and on-line shopping. Are the things we buy the light of our soul? Do they bring us light in the desert? That is, do they remind us of God’s goodness to us? If it is our family, our relationships, do we thank God and “rejoice with joyful song?”
And, how do we announce this message of light, the gospel of the Lord? John the Baptist was the messenger of God. He prepared the way for people to see God’s goodness. Certainly there is plenty of darkness. Ida Roberts of the A.S.K. Foundation will remind us today of the darkness of drug addiction.
People need reminders, messages of hope. That’s what our Christmas lights do. They are messengers. After all, the Christmas tree is Christ’s tree, Christ’s Cross of suffering turned into triumph, into hope: that death will be no more. That’s why we rejoice today. Advent is half over and Christmas with its hope for all is closer. Yes, there are disasters and discord that fill our daily 24 hour news cycle. Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J., says: “Our world is more than its burdens…and the sum of gray days.” There is, he says, “a golden thread shining through” — like a string of Christmas lights shining throughout the city. These reminders of God’s presence renew our hope, reminding us that God-is-with-us.
So again: Where in your desert do you need to see God’s Light more? Ask Him for it. And then announce it by the way you live your life. We, too, like John the Baptist, are God’s messengers.
For now, we remain waiting — patiently. Hopefully, year by year, we see more of God’s Light. When we do, our Light overflows to others. That’s what the Eucharist does.
Our Advent exercise is to keep vigil to see the Light. That our blind eyes may see moments of new insight that renew our hope. Let’s keep our eye on the flame. Watch it grow! Four candles next week!