REJOICE, FOR THE LORD IS COMING

First Reading: Is 61:1-2, 10-11
Second Reading: 1 Thess 5:16-24
Gospel: Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

We are in a Gaudete Sunday. Christmas is a joyful season. Before we could begin that joyful season, the Church invites us to rejoice for the joyous message of our Lord’s coming. In the first reading from the book of Isaiah, the Israelites are invited to rejoice that their liberation is near. The visitation of the Lord is going to take place soon. The coming of the Lord in their midst is proclaimed as liberation for all kinds of people: afflicted, broken-hearted, captives, those in prison and bondage and so forth (Is 61:1). In psalm 104:30 we read: Send forth your spirit, they are created and you renew the face of the earth. The Spirit of the Lord was hovering over the water at the time of creation (Gen 1:2). The Spirit of the Lord renews the fallen creation through the Immaculate conception of Mary and by overshadowing her to conceive the creator in her womb (Lk 1:35). The creation and renewal emanates from the Spirit of God. Thus, the one who comes to give liberation from all the burdens of life is an anointed one who possess the Spirit of the Lord in fullness (Is 61:1). The birth of the Lord on this earth as human person is a resting of Holy Spirit among us – the presence of whom gives life and renewal. This is the joyful message on this Sunday. We have the reason to celebrate that the one who can renew our life from corruption is drawing near. On the first Sunday of advent we were told to have hope in the one who is coming. Last Sunday we were insisted upon the necessity to approach the sacrament of confession as a due preparation to receive the Lord. This Sunday we get the joyous news of renewing our life with the coming of the Lord amidst us. The second part of the first reading and the responsorial psalm sing a hymn that express joy for the goodness of the Lord in one’s life.

   In the Gospel, the priests and Levites are sent from Jerusalem to enquire about the real identity of John the Baptist (Jn 1:19). The impact of John the Baptist was such that official representatives had to be sent all the way from Jerusalem to the bank of river Jorden. John happily proclaims about the One who is going to come after him. He is contented with his position as forerunner for Christ, the anointed one. He humbles himself to the extent of not even worthy enough to be a slave who removes the sandal from the feet of his master (Jn 1:27). John finds happiness in his mission. He has no pretentious ambitions either to boast or to seek human praises. Advent is the time to express our contentment with our status of life.  

In the second reading St. Paul tells the Thessalonians to accept the will of God and rejoice with that. The community of Thessalonica has suffered much even from his own people. At this juncture, St. Pauls proposes rejoicing, praying constantly and giving thanks at all kinds of situation as the will of God for them in Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:16-18). We have just a week to prepare for Christmas. The Lord’s coming adorns man as bridegroom with his garland and a woman as bride with her jewels (Is 61:10). Marriage is the beginning of new life with a companion. The coming of the Lord in our midst is a marriage through which He becomes our companion to walk with us in all the aspects of life. Just as the earth gives way for the seed to sprout and the garden brings forth the plant, the Lord will bring righteousness – to be right with God – in our lives if we dispose ourselves to Him completely (Is 61:11). To trust in the Lord for this kind of renewal is worth. St. Paul says that the Lord is faithful for He will make the promises come true in due time (1 Thess 5:24). May this time of novena for Christmas make us holy to receive the Lord with joyful hearts.

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