Rejoice Gaudete Sunday

12-17-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp, V.F.

Today is known as Gaudete Sunday, Rejoicing Sunday. The first reading we heard today was taken from the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-2 and 10-12. Biblical scholars divided the work of Isaiah into three parts. Thus, we have the First Isaiah 1-39, the second Isaiah from 40-55 and the third Isaiah from 56-66. Thus, our reading is taken from the third Isaiah and the place of this prophecy was Jerusalem at a time immediately after the return of the exiles.

The audience at this time was the Jews who are back from exile. One of the things that happened was that while they were in bondage in Babylonia, they heard the prophecies of the prophet and trusting in those words they set out for Jerusalem. On arrival they have a first unpleasant surprise: far from being welcomed by happy cries of joy, their return is looked upon with coldness and hostility. What has become of all the promises they had heard in Babylon?

Thus, amid this difficult juncture, another prophet rises, and he presents himself and his mission to the discouraged poor of Israel. He has come to bring hope and courage to the broken hearted. The Lord has anointed him to bring joyful news to the afflicted and to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners.

The second reading exemplifies it very well with Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians where he says, ‘Rejoice always and, in all circumstances, gives thanks.’ It may not be completely true that one can be happy always but when we see every event in our life through the eye of faith, we may not live in a despair situation because our faith tells us that God is aware of every single thing we go through. In that sense we can always be happy that God is aware of our plight.

This is the message the church brings to you today, being the third Sunday of Advent called Rejoicing Sunday. The church calls us to rejoice because we passed the midpoint of Advent. It is very important as the church wants you to look forward with hope at the coming of Jesus and let this make our heart leap with joy because His coming is sure and with His coming our lives will no longer be the same again. This is also seen in the Gospel passage of today when John the Baptist says he came to testify to the light. That light is Jesus who is the light and savior of the world and who is coming when we prepare very well in such a way, we are ready to meet Him in joyful mood.

May Christ’s coming bring us deep joy now.

Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.