Third Sunday of Advent – Year C
December 13, 2015
Advent is a time when we might wonder what there is to rejoice about. The end of the year is never easy.
- People are tired (sometimes irritable) and the demands of Christmas celebrations wear us out; a visit home for some and family together for others.
- Relationships can be stressed at this time, like our credit cards and money wallets.
- The world is still reeling after Paris and San Bernadino. But worse, refugees brave the northern winter to leave Syria where an unforgiving war rages against an ill-defined enemy.
- In many places, where Christ is not well known, war and famine cut human life to mere human existence.
- HIV/AIDS gets worse, even in Australia, where false security gives way to promiscuity.
- But the message of Gaudete Sunday, to rejoice in the Lord’s coming, is still needed.
- John, the preacher, calls for right living in preparation for Jesus.
- People are to live a just and merciful life and to avoid the compromises of a corrupt world.
- Jesus asks people to be fair; generous towards others and satisfied with their life. In other words, keep life in perspective. Do not indulge yourself in greed and excess.
- This is perhaps a timely reminder that self-indulgence and excess lead to unhappiness and disappointment.
- Whereas treating people kindly, mercifully and living calmly are their own reward.
- Christmas celebrations then should be about people not ‘over the top’ partying.
- Gift giving should be more than Christmas trees and presents, delighting as these are, but extending our plenty to charity and the poor.
- Our lights this Christmas, that shine out, must also shine inwards on the Church – for people are judging us.
- In his Letter, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis says it: “Since I am asked to put into practice what I ask of others, I too must think of a conversion of the papacy.”
- While he upholds the Church teaching, the Pope is putting pastoral compassion and mercy ahead of doctrinal teaching.
- He is in step with Pope Benedict, who said that Christianity is not a law to be obeyed but a presence to be embraced – the presence of the love of God.
- That love of God incarnate is the center of the gospel.
- It is the center of the preaching of John the Baptist.
- It should be the center of our life.
- Living that gospel means little and big gestures towards the poor and needy. Refusing to tolerate the staggering poverty and suffering in the world.
- We may be disappointed with our efforts and the efforts of others.
- But God’s grace is at work.
- “God is in every person’s life, wherever they are. “Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else – God is in this person’s life. You can, you must try, to seek God in every human life. Although the life of a person is in a land of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God.” Pope Francis.
- And even Ally McBeal said that if a year is passed without tears either of joy or sadness, consider the year wasted.
- So, rejoice at the coming of God’s love in Jesus, and make that love the center of your life.