Third Sunday of Advent
Readings:
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18
Reflection:
Someone may wonder how to have a joyful life. The easiest way can be to smile every day, every moment of life. Other ways can be found in the readings for the pink Sunday of Advent.
In the first reading, Isaiah invited people to cry out with joy and gladness. The joy comes out like the water from the wells of salvation because the Lord is always with us. How can people be sad if they realise God is in their lives? The joy will come by singing, by giving thanks with the gift of wonder.
The same thing was encouraged by Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians as he wanted everyone to be happy. Paul thought that the Lord’s coming was very near even though Jesus was always with his followers. Jesus has, is and will always be with the people so no one needs to worry. Everyone just needs to understand that God’s joy and peace are more than what we can imagine.
Understanding this overwhelming joy of God, we will know what to do. We will be the joyful people of God by sharing what we have, accepting what we earn, and being content with our pay. Because the general people, the tax collectors, and the soldiers can be joyful by practising what John recommended, why can’t we?
May the ‘baptised people’ like us always be at joy and peace as we have not just been baptised in water but also in the Holy Spirit of fire.
JD Tân T CP is a Vietnamese Passionist who lives and studies further at the Holy Cross Retreat, Templestowe.