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Texts of the Readings
December 17, 2006
Third Sunday of Advent (C)
Betty Jane Lillie, S.C.
9: Zep 3:14-18a X
(Ps) Is 12:2-6
X Phil 4:4-7
X Lk 3:10-18
The
third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday as
translated from the Latin for Rejoice that is found in our second
reading. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.
Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” (Phil 4:4-5)
This title, along with rose-colored vestments, sets the tone of expectation
both for the coming festivities of Christmas and for the Second Coming of
Christ. Our readings in Advent pursue those themes.
After that word from Paul, he goes on to say, “Do not worry
about anything.” Well, from time to time people do worry, and there needs
to be away to handle that. So, the Apostle follows up with a piece of
practical wisdom. “In everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.” (Phil 4:6)
Thus praying to God brings about peace which surpasses all
understanding. It will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
(Phil 4:7) That is a wonderful mindset for the pre-Christmas season when so
many tasks need to be completed. It would be very possible to get so
involved in the commercialism of the season that one could bypass the whole
idea of messianic fulfillment.
Perhaps another alternative would be to let the very busyness of
the season be itself an instrument for centering our thoughts on the birth
of Jesus into his historical life. This might be another application of
keeping Christ in Christmas!
Zephaniah’s glorious news of salvation to Jerusalem recalls the
habitual longing of Israel for restoration to its own land. He calls us to
sing aloud and to rejoice with all our hearts for the Lord is in our midst
and renews us in his love. Post-exilic joy embraced three elements:
destruction of the enemies of Israel, the in-gathering of the exiles, and
return to their own land. With a little adaptation we can apply those ideas
to the notion of spiritual centering on the need we experience for God’s
presence and guidance in our pursuit of goodness and peace in our own
lives.
If we are still wondering what to do for Advent, the context of
our Gospel reading may help. The crowds asked John the Baptist what they
should do in a spirit of repentance and renewal. He was very specific about
the practice of good works according to their state or profession in life.
Then he gave them the promise that the One who was to come would baptize
with the Holy Spirit and with fire. That was followed by a very short
parable in which the wheat would be gathered into his granary, but
the chaff would be burned with unquenchable fire. Would we rather be
wheat or chaff?
Our Psalm response is taken from an oracle of the Prophet Isaiah
that combines a song of deliverance with a song of thanksgiving. (Is12:2-6)
The Lord has become our salvation and the Holy One in our midst is great.
Shout aloud and sing for joy!
©Betty Jane Lillie, S.C. |
