Live His Truth - Reflection Gaudet Sunday A

Today the third Sunday of Advent is call Gaudet Sunday.

The first thing heard at mass this morning should be these words. GAUDET IN DOMINO SEMPER - Rejoice in the LORD always!!!

The introduction to mass or the entrance antiphon comes from Philippians 4:4-5 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.

The Church has chosen this Sunday in advent, which is a time of preparation, prayer, and fasting, to remind us to rejoice in the coming of the LORD. One way is that the Priest and the Deacon wear rose vestments; and, a rose colored candle is lit in the advent wreath.

Sometimes, it takes something like Gaudet Sunday and rose colored vestments and candles or someone special like John the Baptist to prepare others for the coming of the Lord.

Jesus speaks this about his precursor, John the Baptist.

What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Or to see a prophet?

John was not a reed swaying in the wind, but a prophet of God, strong and resolute in speaking for God. He was proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. Jesus said that among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist.

That was a bold statement made to the people of Israel. He was greater than Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This prophet was greater than Moses. This man dressed in camel hair and a leather belt was greater than even King David.

John did not lack boldness. John did not lack courage. John did not lack strength. John did not suffer from lack of a message. John spoke and lived God’s truth as a God’s prophet. As bold, courageous, strong, and important John was, he was only the herald sent to prepare the way. 

That is why John was probably a little perplexed by this Jesus. He had an idea Jesus was the messiah, but .... he still asked. “Are you the one who is to come or should we seek another?”

John was puzzled because the messiah he proclaimed was a Messiah of judgement and retribution. He preached that the One to come will baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. He will gather the wheat and burn the chaff with an unquenchable fire. But the messiah John saw in Jesus was a Messiah of mercy. 

Jesus said to tell John - the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.

Those were the signs that Isaiah spoke about the messiah, “Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. The deaf will hear. The lame will leap. The mute will sing.”

That was Jesus. He liberated the suffering from injustice. Tell John that’s the proof, He is the Messiah. 

Friends, rejoice!!!  Because, our messiah is merciful.

Even though John was a great and holy man, he could never realize the kingdom of heaven even with God’s presence in his midst as Jesus.  

John died before the death and resurrection of Jesus which opened the gates of the heavenly kingdom. He was the herald of Jesus; yet, because he died before the death and resurrection of Jesus, he did not know heaven. But because of Jesus’ sacrifice, John knows heaven now.

Someone said, it doesn't matter where we go to church or how we live our faith, if we believe in Jesus we go to heaven. 

I hope so. Father hopes so. The Pope hopes so. 

The truth is that we can’t be like reed in the wind, swaying back and forth in what we believe. We can’t be more concerned about how we are perceived. Are we dressed right to make an impression for this world or are we clothed in Christ?

In the same desert John preached, Jesus spoke his truth and lived his truth. 

In the desert around us, we are to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We must believe Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life. We must believe what He said. We must live the example He set.

And, be patient. “We must be patient until the coming of the Lord. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Behold, the judge is standing at the gates.”

GAUDET IN DOMINO SEMPER - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.

Sometimes it takes something or someone special to prepare others for the coming of the Lord. Be good, be holy, and rejoice in the Lord always by way you live your life and love one another.  Amen.