The 3rd Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Gaw-DAY-tay) Sunday. Gaudete means “REJOICE”. The coming of the Christ is now imminent and we REJOICE at His arrival! Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice; let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. (Philippians 4:4-6).
We again read a prophecy of Isaiah that describes a wondrous transformation of the desert into a blooming oasis of life. First let’s set the stage for this prophecy of hope: The Holy Land has been conquered, the temple has been destroyed, the upper-class citizens have been forced into exile in Babylon and the land has been ravaged. The people are asking, “Where is God? Are we God’s people, or not?” This prophecy offers hope that there will be a great change, a complete reversal, of the damage and harm done. God’s great power will cause the desert to burst with life, and the people themselves will be healed of every affliction! “Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.”
These prophecies are reiterated in the Gospel today. John the Baptist is in prison and he hears of the works of Jesus so he sends his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus sends reply to John instructing John’s disciples to tell John what they hear and see: blind regain sight, lame walk, lepers are cleansed, deaf hear, dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Jesus then turns to the crowd and confirms that John is the one about whom Malachi prophesied: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.” (Mal 3:1) In Malachi the one for whom the way is being prepared is God. Once more the divinity of Jesus is revealed and claimed.
This Advent WE are the ones who are preparing the way for the Lord, in our hearts and in the world. No matter what our personal hardship, strife or struggle, we should be REJOICING at the coming of the Lord, which is so close now! This expectant waiting is very familiar to any woman who has been an expectant mother! That due date is approaching…we paint the baby’s room, buy clothing, diapers, bottles, blankets…our friends may give us a baby shower where we celebrate the imminent arrival of the newborn and gifts and celebration are bestowed upon the mother/baby in JOYFUL ANTICIPATION of the happy event! Our friends are just as eager for the arrival of the baby…our family calls every day, “Is he/she here yet? Could it be today?" Everyone wants to be a part of this special, miraculous, wondrous event! The coming of Christ Jesus, first and again, is just such an occasion and should be a JOYFULLY anticipated event! We should be preparing for His coming with the same passion and joy we prepare for any birth! That is what Advent is all about…waiting in JOYFUL hope for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jesus comes the first time to make us righteous, and he comes again to set us free. O come O come Immanuel!
The Psalm this week is Psalm 146: Lord Come and Save Us
REJOICE!!! For the Kingdom of God is at hand! Hallelujah, hallelujah!