Rejoice and Exult

 

Joyfully waiting for the Lord makes our trust in God’s saving power convincing and our forbearance meaningful.

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, 3rd Sunday of Advent C, December 15th, 2024
Texts: Zephaniah 3:14-18; Psalm Isaiah 12; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18

Today is Third Sunday of Advent, which is called ‘Guadete’ Sunday. ‘Guadete’ means rejoice. This is clear in today’s readings. Prophet Zephaniah, in today’s first reading, invites us thus: “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!”. St. Paul, in today’s second reading, repeats the invitation thus: “Rejoice in the  Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” 

The Antiphon reads, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” The Antiphon gives the nearness of the Lord’s coming as the reason to rejoice. Prophet Zephaniah tells us the reason to rejoice thus: “The  Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies. The King of Israel, the  Lord, is in your midst”. Indeed those reasons are enough for us to rejoice. A Psalm says, “Blessed is the one whose sins are forgiven” (32:1). 

The  Lord, your God, is in your midst

Prophet Zephaniah shows that the active presence of among us is the most important reason for us to rejoice. This is because he emphasises it. He says, “The  Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.” The cancellation of judgment and casting out of enemies are consequences of God’s dwelling with us. 

St. Paul, in the second reading, shows that our joy is a manifestation of our forbearance. He says, “Rejoice in the  Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance.” Our forbearance affirms our trust in God’s saving power.  

Prophet Zephaniah emphasises God’s saving power in the first reading. He talks of God as “a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.” God's cancellation of judgment  and casting out of our enemies are also acts of God’s saving power.  

Do not fear, O Zion

Joyfully waiting for the Lord makes our trust in God’s saving power convincing and our forbearance meaningful. Hence, prophet Zephaniah and St. Paul admonishes us not to fear, be weary or be anxious. In the words of prophet Zephaniah: "Do not fear, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.” St. Paul puts it thus: “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Greater joy is coming

Today’s gospel reading takes the message of joy further. It reminds us of the prophecy of Haggai: “The latter splendour of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts, and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts” (2:9). We have greater things coming our way. Whatever we enjoy now is not what comparing with what is to come. The people found in John the Baptist light and thus going to him for counsel. He asked them to be charitable to one another. Charity is the basis of his counsel to other groups.  

John said to the Tax-collectors thus: "Collect no more than is appointed you." This counsel forbids bribery and corruption at work, seeking money or other benefits for the service you have been paid. John the Baptist told the soldiers thus: "Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."  

He who is mightier than I is coming

However, John told them that whatever light they are enjoying in him now is nothing compared to that of Christ. Our joy is that greater joy than what we enjoy now will still come our way. This is clear in the words of John: "I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Let us, therefore, always rejoice in the Lord who always keep the best for us. 

Hence, the message, today, is that our waiting for the Lord should not  be in anxiety, weariness and fear. It should rather be in joyful mood, trusting in His saving power, the light we have now and His promises.  

Prayer  

O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke