Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2024 — Year C
Readings: Zep 3:14-18a / Is 12 / Phil 4:4-7 / Lk 3:10-18 
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

Today, on the Third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, a day of joy and rejoicing as Christmas draws near.  The rose-colored candle of the Advent wreath, known as the Shepherd’s Candle, reminds us of the joy proclaimed to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth: “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  This joy is not merely a fleeting emotion, but a deep and abiding sense of hope rooted in Christ.  Let us explore the joy found in today’s readings and what these readings mean for us in our world today.

The prophet Zephaniah, in our first reading, exhorts the people of Israel to rejoice: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!  Sing joyfully, O Israel!”  This is a remarkable declaration, as it follows chapters warning of judgment and exile.  Yet, Zephaniah concludes his prophecy with a vision of restoration.  God promises to be in the midst of His people to renew them in His love and to banish fear and despair.  This reminds us that joy is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of God.  In the hardships of life, whether personal trials or global crises, we can find joy in the assurance that God is with us, rejoicing over us with gladness.  Mother Teresa said, “Joy is an act of love by which you can catch souls.”  When we live in the joy of God’s presence, we share His love with others.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians continues this theme of joy: “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I shall say it again:  rejoice!”  Writing from prison, Paul’s exhortation carries profound weight.  His joy is not tied to external circumstances, but to his relationship with Christ.  He reminds us that the Lord is near and encourages us to bring our needs to God in prayer, trusting that His peace will guard our hearts and minds.  In our current world, filled with anxiety and uncertainty, Paul’s message is particularly relevant.  How often do we let fear and worry rob us of joy?  Yet, as Paul assures us, when we entrust our burdens to God, His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will fill our hearts.  Joy rooted in faith becomes a powerful testimony to others, drawing them toward the hope we have in Christ.

In today’s gospel, John the Baptist calls the people to repentance, emphasizing the tangible expressions of faith:  sharing with those in need, practicing integrity, and avoiding exploitation.  When asked what we should do, John provides practical guidance for living a life aligned with God’s will.  His message is both a challenge and a promise, as he points to the coming Messiah who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

There was a little boy, praying and shouting to God in a synagogue, that he might be given ten silver coins because his mother was sick.  It also happened that a tax collector, who was also praying, heard the prayer of the little boy.  The problem was, he had only seven silver coins, not enough to meet the needs of this child.  Regardless, he gave these to the boy by putting them near the altar.  When the boy saw the coins, he said to the Lord, “Thank you Lord for giving me the coins, but next time, don’t show the tax collector.  I’m sure he got the other three coins.”

St. John shows us that we should be honest in our way of life, that we should not try to take advantage of others.  He tells us that even if we see that someone is trying to take advantage of us, even when by doing good, we will be thought of as fools, we should still share.  We should not be discouraged; we should always be willing to continue to help others.

John’s call to action reminds us that true joy comes, not from self-centered pursuits, but from living in love and service to others.  In a world often characterized by greed and division, this gospel invites us to embody the spirit of generosity and justice.  As Mother Teresa beautifully put it, “A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love.”  When we love as Christ loves, our joy becomes a light for those in darkness. As we reflect on the theme of joy this Gaudete Sunday, we are reminded that true joy is not found in our circumstances, but in our trust in and surrender to God.

There is a story of the life of Blessed Chiara Badano, a young Italian girl who offers a profound witness to this truth.  Born in 1971, Chiara grew up as an ordinary teenager who loved her family, friends, and sports.  Her life took a dramatic turn, however, when she was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 17.  While many would understandably despair, Chiara’s faith allowed her to transform her suffering into a profound encounter with Christ.  Even as her body weakened and her pain became unbearable, Chiara radiated an inner joy that inspired everyone around her.  She embraced her illness as a way to unite her suffering with Jesus, often saying, “If this is what you want, Jesus, so do I.”  Chiara never lost her smile and insisted that her room be filled with light and love, as she wanted to bring hope to her visitors.  She believed that her suffering was a way to serve others spiritually and her faith only grew stronger.  Chiara’s life was a living testimony to what St. Paul teaches, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”  Her joy, rooted in her relationship with Christ, reminds us that true joy is found, not in avoiding hardship, but in allowing God’s love to transform it.

As Catholics preparing to celebrate Christmas, this gospel challenges us to examine how we are living our faith in practical ways.  John’s instructions: to give generously, act justly, and avoid greed, reflect the heart of the Christmas message, God’s love made manifest in the gift of His Son.  During this Advent season, we are reminded that Christ’s coming calls us to transformation.  Just as the shepherds shared the good news with others after encountering Jesus, we, too, are called to be a witness to His love through our actions.  Moreover, the image of Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire speaks to the renewal and purification that Christ’s coming brings.  Christmas is not merely a commemoration of a past event, but an invitation to allow Christ to transform our lives today.  The joy of the season lies in aligning our hearts with His, living out the values of compassion, justice, and generosity.

The common message in today’s readings is the call to rejoice because of God’s presence and promise.  This joy is deeply connected to trust in God, prayer, and acts of love.  It is a joy that sustains us through trials and empowers us to be agents of hope and transformation in the world.  In our contemporary world, marked by conflict, economic disparity, and environmental crises, today’s message is a beacon of hope.  Our Church invites us today to trust in God’s plan for restoration.  Like the Philippians, we are called to bring our worries to God and embrace His peace.  Like the crowds in the gospel, we are challenged to live out our faith in practical ways, sharing joy through acts of love and justice.  As we light the pink candle of the Advent wreath, let is remind us of the joy that Christ’s coming brings to our hearts and to the world.  May we, like the shepherds, share this joy with others, proclaiming the good news of God’s love through our words and actions.  Let us rejoice always, for the Lord is near.