Zephaniah 3:14-18a / Philippians 4:4-7 / Luke 3:10-18

We are in the penultimate week of Advent, our preparation for the second coming of Christ and for Christmas. The third Sunday of Advent is special, and is called "Gaudete", from the Latin, which means "Rejoice". The reason for joy is the proximity of the coming of Christ. The liturgical color is pink, which expresses this joy.

The evangelist Luke continues today to tell us about John the Baptist, the one whom God sent before Jesus to prepare the Jews for His arrival.

People approached John the Baptist to ask how they should prepare for the coming of the Messiah. John the Baptist asked them to share their cloaks and food with the person did not have none. He asked them not to be liars or ambitious.

To avoid any deception, John the Baptist declared to them that he was not the Messiah, but rather a humble servant of His. John the Baptist said that the Messiah was mightier than he was. While John's baptism was in water to purify sins, the Messiah's baptism would be in fire to receive the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist taught that the Messiah would come to cleanse the people of their sins, to gather the fruits of their good works and to burn away what is worthless. 

John the Baptist's teachings also apply to us, as we prepare for the coming of Christ. Let us be generous, let us sincerely repent of our sins, asking the Messiah Jesus to baptize us in the fire of the Holy Spirit. Let us prepare ourselves to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. 

The theme of joy, which gives its identity to the Third Sunday of Advent, is present both in the prophecy of Zephaniah and in the letter of the apostle Paul to the Philippians. It is not the superficial joy of the world, but the deep joy of God. Unfortunately, for many, joy is the effect of drinking or drugs, of wasting material goods. But true joy is that which comes from God, from the certainty of His love and mercy, which will be powerfully manifested in the second coming of Christ, upon the clouds of Heaven, clothed in power, glory and majesty, to judge humanity with justice.

The present time may be full of difficulties, but they cannot rob us of the joy, hope and peace that come from faith!

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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