Thoughts to live by: Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd of Advent

Liturgy of the Word — Zep. 3:14-18; Is. 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil. 4:4-7; Lk. 3:10-18.

Some Notes on Gaudete Sunday —

1. Today, the rose colored candle in the Advent Wreath is lighted. Rose vestments are used at Mass. It is the third Sunday of Advent. Gaudete Sunday takes its name from the entrance antiphon (Introit) of today’s Mass — “Gaudete in Domine semper: iterum dico, gaudete.”

(Rejoice in the Lord always. again I say, rejoice.)

2. The season of Advent originated as a fast of 40 days, commencing on the feast of St. Martin (11 November). This is why it was known as St. Martin’s Lent as early as the 5th century. In the 19th century, the duration of Advent was reduced to 4 weeks, a period with the four Sundays of Advent.

3. Advent preserves most of the characteristics of a penitential season. It is a counterpart to Lent. Gaudete Sunday is also a counterpart to Laetare Sunday, the third Sunday of Lent. It provides a similar break about midway through a penitential season and signifies the nearness of the Lord’s coming. In his 2014 Gaudete Sunday homily, Pope Francis said that Gaudete Sunday is known as the “Sunday of joy,” and that instead of worrying about the things to be prepared for Christmas, we should “think of all the good things life has given” us.

4. 1st Reading, Zep. 3:14-18 — “The word of the Lord which came to Zephaniah, the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah, the son of Amon, King of Judah” [7th century BC] (v. 1). Perhaps more than any other prophecy, Zephaniah’s prophecy of judgment on Judah and Jerusalem emphasizes the devastation and death that divine judgment will bring. Described as “the day of the Lord,” the day of judgment is pictured as a time of darkness and anguish, of destruction and plunder of cities, and threat to all life. All of these is due to Judah’s idolatrous worship and its unjust and abusive leadership.

5. “Near is the great day of the Lord, near and very swiftly coming (v. 14). “A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation. A day of darkness and gloom…. A day of trumpet blasts and battle cries against fortified cities” (vv. 15-16). “I will helm the people in till they walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord. And their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their bowels like dung” (v. 7). Their riches will not help them. “On the day of the Lord’s wrath,… all the earth will be consumed. For he will make a sudden end for all who live on earth” (v. 18).

6. Resp. Ps., Is. 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 — “God, indeed, is my salvation; I am confident and unafraid. For the Lord is my strength…. With joy, you will draw water from the fountains of salvation…. You will say on that day, Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name, make known his name among the nations” (v. 4). “Sing praise to the Lord… Shout with exultation, City of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (vv. 5-6). In contrast to Zephaniah’s day of the Lord, Isaiah speaks of God as the Lord of salvation for the people and for Jerusalem.

7. 2nd Reading, Phil. 4:4-7 — “Rejoice in the Lord always, I shall say it again, rejoice!” (v. 4, the source of the name, Gaudete Sunday). The theme of joy is frequent in the Letter (see Phil. 1:18; 2:2, 18). “Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near” (v. 5, a reference to the parousia, the second coming of Christ). “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, in every petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God” (v. 6).

“Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7). “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (v. 8). Paul’s inspiring instruction and encouragement to the Philippians.

8. Gospel, Gospel, Lk. 3:10-18 — Preaching a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin, John the Baptist warns the people to be just and honest. “Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (vv. 3-9). So the people ask, “What then should we do?” (v. 10). He advises them to be charitable, “share if you have two tunics.” He tells the tax collectors to “stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” He tells soldiers, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone. Be satisfied with your wages” (vv. 11-15). The people, “filled with expectation,” ask him whether he might be the Messiah (v. 15). John answers, “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” (v. 16). He will separate the wheat from the chaff (the good from the bad). The wheat he will gather into his barn, but the chaff “he will burn with unquenchable fire” (v. 18, an allusion to the second coming of Christ).

9. Today’s Liturgy of the Word may be synthesized thematically. The day of judgment for Judah and Jerusalem is a day of death and destruction (1st Reading). This alludes to the day of the Lord, his second coming, when he will separate chaff from wheat. But for those who act charitably and justly (Gospel), for those who think and do what is pure and honorable, and pray in God’s presence, his coming is a great day of joy. “Rejoice! Rejoice always.” It is a day of thanksgiving and peace (2nd Reading). For the Lord is, indeed, our salvation (Resp. Psalm).

10. Prayer — O God, you see how we, your people, faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity. Enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. This we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Today’s Collect).

Lord Jesus, come!

Prayers, best wishes, God bless.