Homily of the Third Sunday of Advent Year C: Joy, Joy, Joy

Homily of the Third Sunday of Advent Year C: Joy, Joy, Joy The liturgy of this Third Sunday in Advent is full of reassurance and comfort for us. It is also known as “Gaudete Sunday”. Gaudete is a Latin word meaning “rejoice.” The liturgy then tells us to be happy, not to worry, that the Lord is near. Zephaniah in the first reading says, “Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!” St. Paul tells us to Rejoice in all circumstances “I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness”. What a challenge it is for us to rejoice always! Fortunately we have a great Advent figure to help us: John the Baptist. He was poorly dressed, hungry, laughed at, but he had a deep joy in his heart. He knew the Messiah was near. It is interesting that to prepare for the Messiah he does not ask us to do anything that extraordinary--just the simple justice that all of us recognize in our hearts. If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’… ‘Exact no more than your rate.’… ‘No intimidation! No extortion! You can find precepts like those in all great religions; in fact they spring right from each person's sense of the moral law. But John adds something, “Be content with your pay!” in other words, be satisfied with your wages. How hard it is for us to be satisfied with what we have! We're always thinking about some time in the future when we will really be happy. Pope Francis invites us to be joyful every time we encounter Jesus because with Christ joy is constantly born anew. He warns us to avoid the “joy” proposed by the world. In Evangelii Gaudium number 2, he says: The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ. Joy is something we all long for but that often seems difficult to grab hold of. Experiencing joy should be a part of every Christian’s life. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and a gift of God. We best receive this gift when we focus on the truth of who God is, commune with Him through prayer, and rely on the community of believers He has provided.