Gaudete Sunday

We celebrate the third Sunday of Advent today. It is also known as Gaudete Sunday. "Gaudete" means joy, joyful or rejoice. It is a day of rejoice after two weeks of waiting because our expectation is not in the nothingness, our lives are not in vain for the Lord is very near and very real.

Today's homily on Mt 11:2-11 has helped me to look at the Gospel text at a deeper level...

John the Baptist lived in the desert, wore garment made of camel-skin, and survived on merely insects (locusts) and wild honey. He was sent to prepare the way of the Lord, preached repentance and proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was at hand. He was the one who publicly promoted Jesus as the "lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world".

Later, when John the Baptist was imprisoned, he heard what Jesus had done and what Jesus had said. Jesus ate with sinners and befriended prostitutes, tax collectors and unclean people. Jesus' words and deeds did not fit into John's image of the Messiah. Therefore John became hesitant and sent his disciples to Jesus to see if Jesus was the One. John wanted to be sure that his work and his life were not in vain.

Sounds familiar? I think we are often worried whether what we are doing is bearing fruit or whether we live in vain. To this, Jesus replied, "Happy is the man who does not lose faith in me." If we keep the faith, our lives will not be in vain; we will bear fruits that last.

Gaudete Sunday talks about joy for the Lord is near. Being joyful does not mean God is present. Manufactured joy or happiness does not last. It is fake and transcient. In no time, we will be thirsting for another dose of false joy to keep us high. God is not there.

Only God's presence can bring genuine joy. May all of us be aware of God's loving presence and that His love is greater than our sins.

Amen, amen.