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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