3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT HOMILY – YEAR C 2024
GAUDETE SUNDAY – REJOICE AND PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD ONGOING – THE JOY OF ANTICIPATION
Lk 3.12-18 Zeph 3.14-18 Phil 4.4-7
In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist gets further profile, as he gives some practical instructions about how to prepare the way of the Lord, in down to earth terms, primarily in caring for others. ahead of the arrival of Jesus. who goes on to emphasise much the same things. Concern for others, not just oneself, is where it starts, not that we don’t have our own needs and a right to think of ourselves. At the same time, we are to look beyond ourselves, concerned that others get a ‘fair go’, as we might say, as well.
The same old issues keep coming up throughout history in any society, as here we have John telling people to be happy with their pay. Well, we can’t take that too literally, as there is a right to pay increases here and there, with negotiations between workers and employers accepted as a means of providing fair wages and conditions. The main point is not to be too greedy and demanding, selfishly ignoring the needy.
Then there’s the issue of tax, back in the days when the tax collectors would go around knocking on your door, or overcharging at the toll gates, with a reputation for ripping people off, and helping themselves to their overcharging rates. There’s no doubt a just and fair society needs income from tax, so as to provide public services and provide a safety net for those in need, but there’s a balance between what is fair and charging too much for selfish profit all around.
As Brendan Byrne SJ says: “Social justice is always the acid test of true conversion of heart… In fact, Jesus will hardly take up the threatening pattern of ministry that John sketches for him here. He will heal and forgive, and warn, yes, but not judge or condemn; with sinners he will celebrate the mercy of God.” And that’s very much the tone of Pope Francis in emphasising the mercy and compassion of God for the repentant sinner, being you and me!
Spanish scholar and priest, Jose Pagola, describes the somewhat dark scenario John was facing and challenging thus: “The movement launched by the Baptist was beginning to be felt everywhere in Israel. Even people who were written off as reprobates and sinners, like tax collectors and prostitutes, embraced his message. Only the religious elites and the Herodians… opposed it. People’s enthusiasm for a new way of doing things is always disturbing to their rulers.” And so John the Baptist courageously cops it in the end, as he was seen as a serious danger to the threatened Herod. Then, as we know, this was no deterrent to Jesus taking up, continuing and expanding this ministry of repentance, forgiveness and outreach in service to others.
Then we hear Paul encouraging the Christian community in Philippi to settle down and be happy together, in the way they take the message of Jesus to heart and share his love with others, again in practical ways of compassion and service, accepting diversity, working through our differences with respect and offering forgiveness when things have gone wrong, not taking each other for granted and being grateful for life and love and friendship.
I like the OT reading from the prophet Zephaniah too (on which is based on the old Carey Landry hymn “And the Father Will Dance”!), as he has a very positive image of God who loves his people and wants them to be joyful in living life and expressing their faith in a God, who is close and concerned for each single one of his people, no favourites here, a God of joy and love, with the idea of him celebrating with his people.
Meanwhile, we continue prepare the way of the Lord, each in our own way, as we face up to the rush into Christmas.
john hannon 15th December 2024