Walking with Jesus: Third Sunday of Advent C

For Sunday, December 15, 2024

Zephaniah 3:14-18, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18

We are at the midpoint of Advent and today we celebrate Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. Its principal theme is joy — yet the readings also show us an underlying theme of fear. Fear wants to dominate our joy. Do we let it happen? We have two reflective questions:

• What does Joy look like in my life now?
• What is the biggest Fear in my life now?

We add the unique Christmas questions: Am I ready for Christmas? Is my gift shopping near completion? Have I been able to adjust some of my plans? Have I placed my spiritual and prayer life too far into the background? Am I ready for the birth of Christ in my life? Are my Christmas preparations joined by my desire to bring Joy and Gratitude to the people who continually bless me with their love, care, forgiveness, affirmations and goodness? Am I ahead of the game or behind the “eight ball?” Have I allowed myself to be caught up in those quiet moments that always seem to bring a deeper peace and understanding of the specialness of this season? At this point, is my “joy”  surfacing more to counteract my “worries” and “fears?”

Most of Zephaniah's prophecies present the “Day of the Lord” as one of wrath, destruction and judgment. Today’s passage is from the end of the book and focuses on Jerusalem’s salvation and restoration. Jerusalem’s enemies have been purged. They have been delivered from their oppressors. God has accomplished this for them and that’s why they're rejoicing. Added to this is their realization that the Lord is in their presence, and they know it: They can feel it. He is “The King of Israel” [Zephaniah 3:15] and, “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior.” [Zephaniah 3:17] These titles go back to the early period of Israel’s history, to a time when God is the only king they know and when, as a mighty warrior, God defends them from their enemies. He has not left them — He is with them and always has been. That “Day of the Lord” is a reference to a time in the future when the justice of God will be present throughout all the world. God is still in love with His people. Reflect on this: God is love. How can He be any different to His people so He can “renew” you in His love? [Zephaniah 3:17] As it is used here, “renew” really means to “be quiet in love.” Can we do this as we prepare for Christmas? To take time, look at the manger, read the Christmas cards and realize that God is with me NOW, each moment? (The Psalm response from Isaiah echoes this: “Cry out with joy and gladness, for among you is the great and Holy one of Israel.”)

In these short verses from Paul we can conclude that the Philippians are experiencing some kind of adversity. Paul starts out wanting them to rejoice — which suggests that this is the one thing they are not experiencing — and Paul admonishes them to “have no anxiety” in this because The Lord is near. This is an eschatological watchword inferring that in the future God will set all things right. God is a compassionate savior, not a severe judge. So how can they place this in their daily lives? They can pray. When we pray, we are cementing our personal relationship with God. So if God is in our midst and continues to be with us, shouldn’t those we encounter in our daily lives be flooded with our love, care, forgiveness and compassion? Is this a part of my Advent journey? Where do I need God’s help?

The people listening to John echo our question: “What should we do?” [Luke 3:10] Now, John has been living a life filled with fasting, penance and austerity — BUT he is not asking them to disassociate themselves from their jobs or change where they’re living and worshipping. They are to continue to live as they are, especially with their daily responsibilities and concern for others, with honesty, righteousness, compassion, forgiveness and all the values Jesus taught. Luke then provides concrete examples to help them understand and plan their actions and activities in love. At the end of every day, am I reflecting to ask: Did I see Jesus today? Was there a message from Him to me? Was this message characterized by kindness, patience, care and tenderness? That’s how God speaks to us!

So I reflect on:

• I continue to go more deeply into the process of envisioning God’s joy in me. Can I allow myself to hear God’s praises and His singing? What do they sound like?
• God views me as a unique and beloved part of His people — that’s why He placed me here now. Allow me to pause to consider what His presence and love are like.

Sacred Space 2025 states:

“As they listened to John the Baptist’s call for repentance, his hearers rightly asked what change they needed to make in their lives. In his reply the law of charity came first, as he urged them to share with the poor and to deal honestly with all. Lord, may we show our love by our care for and treatment for others.

“John the Baptist in his humility acknowledges that he is not worthy even to untie our Lord’s sandals. We are all called to grow in humility and to acknowledge our own littleness and our complete dependence on our God. We ask God to reveal this more and more to us.”