Third Sunday of Advent

Today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday – on this Sunday we are asked to take time from our hectic holiday season, time to reflect on the true meaning of Advent to take time for prayer, to rejoice in our preparation for the coming of the Lord. You might notice that our presider is wearing pink vestments today.

During Advent the liturgical color of violet is used. The dark color of violet in Advent harmonizes with the diminishing sunlight late in the year.  However, on Gaudete Sunday the rose color indicates the coming joy for us. The color rose can be seen as the softening of the violet color. Rose is violet changing and approaching white. In this sense, it anticipates the pure white of the Birth and Resurrection of Christ.
 
As we reflect on the readings from today, we hear in the first reading from Isaiah:
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
 
Isaiah, the prophet is consumed with joy. He was the anointed with the Spirit, anointed to bring the good news of healing, freedom, and an outpouring of God’s love. This message was meant especially for ‘the poor’ – those who have no security except in God. Originally addressed to God’s people in their exile.  This proclamation read by Jesus in the synagogue of Nazareth. Jesus proclaims, ‘This text is being fulfilled today, even as you listen’.   With Christ’s coming, we have all been sent by God into this world to bring glad tidings to our world to demonstrate of our faith in word and action!  To bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the oppressed. Christ is coming and is indeed already with us! 
 
In the Gospel, continuing in the theme of preparation and being sent by God, we again hear about John the Baptist.   He is an interesting character isn’t he?  Last week we heard that John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist.  He fed on locusts and wild honey.   Is it any wonder that the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him?  They wanted to know who is this Man?   Why are people being drawn to him? What is he trying to do? Wouldn’t we ask these same question?
 
However, John’s response is both radical and simple.  He is not trying to be famous, powerful or glorify himself.  His message is not complicated.  First he wanted everyone to know that that he was not the Christ!  In our time it might be hard to understand someone doing all John did for the coming of Jesus.  Our society teaches that we need to make ourselves important, that our prestige, possessions and power are the most important things!  John message was this!

"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."

How are we preparing ourselves?  Are our lives and actions pointing others toward the light toward Christ? Are we centering our lives like Jesus in the service of others or are we being pulled away from God in the search of material and the transient things of life? John warns the priests and Levites that the Christ is already in their midst, but they do not recognize him.  I know that I am like these men, at times I have a hard time recognizing Christ in our midst!
 
My prayer for myself and all of us is that we all might strive to prepare ourselves for the light – the coming of Christ and turn away from the darkness to search and truly find God working in our world.
 
As I reflected on the gospel this week one phrase, one question kept coming back to me.  This question was posed to John by the priests and Levities.  The question was:  Who are you?  Somehow I felt this question was being posed not only for John, but perhaps just as importantly for us, the readers of this passage.
 
If someone were to ask you this simple question who are you?  How would you respond?  I might perhaps respond with my name and perhaps my occupation.  But the real question requires a deeper response.  What is at the core of our being?  What are the values we live by?  In this season where light is fading to we seek our savior?  Do we seek the light?  Are we true followers of Christ?

Jesus asked his followers – and asks us – Who do you say I am?  Will you let Me guide your life?
 
Like John we must all answer the question “Who are you”?
 
As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Eucharist at this table together. Let us commit ourselves this week to allow the light of Christ enter and shine through us.  To let our voices and lives testify to the light of Christ as we turn away from darkness into God’s glorious light.