3rd Sunday of Advent

To All the Joyous Advent Faithful of the Epiphany of the Lord Parish

The Third Sunday of Advent: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete (Philippians 4:4-6)

On this Third Sunday of Advent, called the Sunday of Joy, the liturgy invites us to welcome the Holy Spirit with which all this happens, that is, precisely, Joy. Saint Paul invitesus to prepare for the coming of the Lord, by assuming three attitudes. First, constant joy; second, steadfast prayer; third, continuous thanksgiving. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 2017.)

Latin Translation: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione et obsecratione cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum.(Philippians4:4–6)

The English translation: Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God (Philippians 4:4–6)

Dear Advent Friends of the Epiphany, the Joy and Happiness in the Lord that we celebrate today is symbolized by lighting a Rose Candle on the Advent wreath today instead of a purple one and also symbolized by wearing Rose Vestments today instead of purple ones. Let us become a community of Joy.

There is an idea prevalent now that religion hinders one’s freedom, that religion cramps one’s lifestyle, that it is an oppressive force. In fact, far from hindering us or cramping us in any way, living with a strong faith in God brings us the true happiness we cannot find elsewhere. Therefore, Paul writes in the Second Reading: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).

Dear faithful in Jesus, did Jesus feel cramped and hindered? Not according to what we read in the Gospels. In John 15:11, we read Jesus saying: I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.

I would like to recall a number of times when we see Jesus being happy and joyful. Jesus was joyful and wanted his disciples to share his joy: I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. Jesus attended many dinners: the one given him by Mathew/Levi after he called him (Mathew 9:9-10); at Zacchaeus’ house (implied in Luke 19:7); Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner (Luke 7:36); and there was dinner at Lazarus’ house (John 12:2). At Cana (John 2:1ff.), Jesus changed gallons of water into wine so that the wedding guests could continue to enjoy themselves, and it was wine of the best vintage.

Dear faithful of the Epiphany, the first step to become happy in the Lord is to give up sin so that we can live a life of grace with the Lord. In the Gospel today (Luke 3:10-18) three times people asked John the Baptist: what should we do? Each time he told them to give up something or not to be greedy.

Our Advent journey of conversion, dear parishioners, is a journey from wanting and being greedy and possessive to becoming unselfish. That was the journey John the Baptist asked his hearers to make and the journey we are challenged to make this Advent so that we will have true joy and happiness to celebrate at Christmas rather than just Santa Claus coming to town.

When we turn our backs on sin and follow the Lord, it does not mean that we will never again have trouble. Of course we will. We will have troubles and problems as long as we live but we will have an inner peace in the Lord and find our happiness in the Lord. Let us all try this experience during this Season.

Dear parishioners, I find the following two examples of being happy in the Lord in spite of severe difficulties very challenging. Firstly, Fr. Maximilian Kolbe was in one of the Nazi concentration camps during World War II and volunteered for the death chamber in the place of one of his fellow prisoners. Secondly, Archbishop Oscar Romero was asked by a newspaper reporter if he was aware that people wanted to kill him and he replied: You can tell them they are wasting their time. I doubt that I could be equally happy in such difficult situations but they are examples to us of being happy in the Lord. Could I become an example?

The Lord wills us to be happy. Since the day we were baptized we are sons and daughters of God. We could say that the words of our first reading (Zephaniah 3:14-18) were fulfilled in the lives of each of us the day we were baptized: Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! Let us all rejoice in the Lord.

Remember, dear parishioners, far from being oppressive a force, the religion of Jesus Christ spreads the Joy of the Gospel, Evangelii Gaudium (Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 2013). When properly understood, our faith in God is a liberating force, liberating us from unhappiness and helping us to find our joy in the Lord. We remember again the words of Paul: I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Remember always the words of St. Paul. Let us make efforts to live the joy of being Christians in this world.

Dear parishioners, the Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. This is the joy which we experience daily, amid the little things of life, as a response to the loving invitation of God our Father: My child, treat yourself well, according to your means. Do not deprive yourself of the day’s enjoyment (Sirach 14:11 and 14). What tender paternal love of the Trinitarian Father, Son and the Holy Spirit echoes in these words of Joy, Prayer and Thanksgiving. Let us live these words.

Dear friends, the Gospel Joy which enlivens the community of disciples is a missionary joy. The seventy-two disciples felt it as they returned from their mission (Lk 10:17). Jesus felt it when he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and praised the Father for revealing himself to the poor and the little ones (Luke 10:21). It was felt by the first converts who marveled to hear the apostles preaching in the native language of each (Acts 2:6) on the day of Pentecost. This joy is a sign that the Gospel has been proclaimed and is bearing fruit. Yet the drive to go forth and give, to go out from ourselves, to keep pressing forward in our sowing of the good seed, remains ever present for all of the faithful of the Epiphany.

Dear Epiphany community, the Joy of the Gospel is such that it cannot be taken away from us by anyone or anything (John 16:22). The evils of our world must not be excuses for diminishing our commitment and our fervor. Let us look upon them as challenges which can help us to grow. With the eyes of faith, we can see the light which the Holy Spirit always radiates in the midst of darkness, never forgetting that where sin increased, grace has abounded all the more (Romans 5:20).

I earnestly request each and every one of the faithful of the Epiphany of the Lord, to savor the Joy and Happiness of the New Born Child Jesus!

Your Fraternal Pastor
Fr. John Peter Lazaar SAC & Fr. Clement Sahaya Anand SAC