Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Third Sunday of Advent, Year A – Gaudete Sunday–Dec15, 2019

Readings: Is 35:1-6a.10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6c-7.8-9a.9bc-10(R.cf.Is 35:4);

 James 5:7-10&Gospel Mat 11:2-11.

Theme: Christ’s Coming& the Signs of Time

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today is Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday. On this day, the Church invites us to rejoice in the Lord. Gaudete, taken from Philippians 4:4-5 “Gaudete in Domino semper” (Rejoice in the Lord always) comes from the first word in Latin of the Introit, the entrance antiphon at Mass. Little wonder in the first reading(Is 35:1-6a.10),the Prophet Isaiah calls us to rejoice because the glory and majesty of the Lord is coming. He emphatically states: “[we] shall obtain the joy and gladness” of the Lord and “[our] sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Such warm assurances position us for a better celebration of Advent as we await the fulfilment of God’s promises.

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Is 35:1-6a.10) presents the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the expected Messiah. Among other things, the text suggests that he is coming to save his people; open the eyes of the blind, unseal the ears of the deaf; make the lame leap like a deer and the tongues of the dump to sing and also return those who are exiled. It surmises that the returnees shall shout for joy with everlasting joy in their faces even as he puts an end to their sorrow and lament. 

In the second reading (James 5:7-10), St. Jamesencourages the faithful to emulate the patience of the farmer by being patient until the Lord’s coming. Because the Lord would come soon, he says: “Do not lose heart.” He warns against complaining against one another while urging all to emulate the patience of the Prophets.  

The gospel reading (Mat 11:2-11) reveals that when John was in prison and he heard what Jesus was doing, he decided to sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was the expected Messiah or they were to expect another. Apparently, in fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading (Is 35:1-6a.10), we are told that Jesus replied them: “God back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.” He surmises by praising the austere life of John and says none can be compared to him yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. 

Pastoral Application and Lessons

1. Look Out for Great Things: The message of the first reading that the Messiah would open the eyes of the blind, unseal the ears of the deaf and make the lamb leap like a deer and the tongues of the dump to sing signals that Advent is pregnant with great things for those who trust and wait on the Lord. 

2. Be Patient: Our liturgy, particularly the second reading, urges us to establish ourselves for the coming of the Lord by being patientas that is key to a good Advent. 

3. Do Not Lose Faith:Like John, whenwe are faced with trials, tribulations and temptations, we often ask questions like: “Is our God alive? Are we practicing the right religion or is God still on the throne?”but Christ assures: “Happy is the one who does not lose faith in me.”

4. God Has No Favourites: The experience of John the Baptist tells us that God has no favourites because besides being his relation, John had worked tirelessly for the coming of Christ yet Jesus allowedhim to be imprisoned and eventually suffer martyrdom.

5. God Appears Silent in Crisis: ThatJesusdid not give a direct answer when John heard asked for a confirmation if he was the Christ in the light of his incarcerationdemonstrates to us that like an examiner, God does not speak when the student is taking examinations.

6. Jesus’ Ministry is Enough Evidence:Our liturgy affirms that the miracles associated with Jesus’ ministry are enough evidence that he is the Messiah.

7. Advent Reveals the Signs of Time:Our liturgy challenges us to look critically at the signs of time in the light of Christ’s coming through the celebration of Advent.

8. Look at the Larger Picture:It amounts to a single narrative to see only the rosy side of life while turning a blind eye to its thorns – we must realize that life is an admixture of both joy and sorrow.

9. Embrace Repentance: The sign we need most is the sign of the Prophet Jonah namely, repentance; bearing in mind that faith does not give us immunity to sin and suffering.

10. Count Your Blessings: God wants us to count our blessings as evidence of his mighty works among us. 

Homiletic Points to Remember

1. Today is Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday - The Church invites us to rejoice in the Lord.

2. The first reading presents the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the expected Messiah.

3. In the second reading, St. James encourages the faithful to emulate the patience of the farmer - until the Lord’s coming.

4. God back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk…

5. The least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he [John] is.  

Conclusion

Since we live in an age and time where believers associate a true Church of God with miracles which signals a crib without the cross, we are challenged to learn from John the Baptist - Although John was a forerunner of Christ who gave tax collectors, prostitutes, soldiers and other categories of sinners the baptism of repentance, he suffered and died for the sake of the name. In the face of poverty, sickness, joblessness, unimplemented minimum wage, lack of payment of salaries and seeming despair, the gracious words of Bishop Matthew Kukah are soothing:“Hope does not go into recession.” With this in mind, I pray, may Christ’s coming help us read the signs of time so as to realize that the crib points to the cross and the cross to the crown. Amen. Against all odds, have a terrific week rejoicing in the Lord!