True rejoicing, a foretaste of heaven

3rd Sunday of Advent-Sunday of Rejoicing Year C
Gospel Lk 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectations,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
Rejoice in the Lord, a foretaste of heaven
It happened before the Mass last Dec. 8 on the Feast of Immaculate Conception. We started with the Holy Hour adoration followed by the Rosary. I asked an altar server one of the kids who usually attend our daily mass with their parents. People started to dispose of themselves at the main chapel and since I would be using the incense for the liturgy and ready to process, the fire alarm took off. The smoke from the thurible was detected while the altar server was standing below the device just a little above him. It took 15 minutes for the fire dept. to arrive and shut off the alarm system. I remained calm and collected as well as the people around 50 of them. Before I read the Gospel, it stopped. When I began my homily I simply said a sort of instant introduction:
My brothers and sisters, we heard it loud, (what a sound effect- this is not scripted) and the message is clear, this celebration calls us to gather and pray, and like Mary, she might have been disturbed by Angel's message but she continued to ponder everything in her heart. Yesterday just after my daily Mass, an old lady said (I hoped she has no hearing problem) Father, that was a very beautiful mass, I was moved into tears. Did I ask: was it the smoke or alarm? No, Father, as if the sound was like music to my ears and another younger lady came by to join us in our chat, and she said, yes, Father, I imagined myself, like Mary who was visited by the Angel minus the loud excruciating sound of the alarm. We had a good laugh. And quietly I thought, God works in mysterious ways, just ponder if they happen.
The Third Sunday of Advent is popularly known as Gaudete Sunday or Sunday of Rejoicing. Gaudere meaning “to rejoice,” in Latin captures the theme for these Sunday’s readings that exhort us to be joyful with hope and to expect earnestly the coming of the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord, always, (Phil. 4:4-7). For the Lord, He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love (First Reading). As we observe, this specific Sunday uses the color magenta, rose, or pink (a happy color that radiates lightness, brightness, and joy in anticipation of the forthcoming festival of Christmas.
John’s urgent message of repentance still resounds to this day. This interior disposition as we prepare the way of the Lord is necessitated or completed by practical course of action which John identified as he was being interrogated by these three groups who wanted to be baptized and to deepen their response to God who called them. First, the common folks were commanded to share their clothing and food. Second, the tax collectors are called: telonai in Greek which means toll collectors who are urged not to overcharge the taxpayers more than what is prescribed. And the last, the soldiers. This group was advised not to engage in extortion employing violence, coercion, not to accuse wrongfully, and to be content with their wages.
John succinctly responded to their questions; however, his answers recommend concrete actions. To be happy is to be generous and to practice fairness. In addition, happiness comes from doing our duties faithfully, doing good for others, and sharing our blessings with others in need. After sincere repentance, and restoration, and because of the transformation of our hearts to be like Christ, the way we conduct our lives or behave is reflected in our pursuit of justice, charity, and truth.
Call to action
We should always desire to change though it’s difficult. Willingness to be transformed according to the image or purpose why God made us requires first, to examine our relationship with others, be responsible and accountable for all important decisions we make with our families, to work honestly, and treat employees and employers justly. Our domestic and social interactions must be put in order. We must set aside our selfish motives and thirst for endless consumeristic tendencies. Second, we need to be like John the Baptist. Parents, public servants, teachers, Church leaders, even men and women in the military are Christ’s precursors by repenting of their sins, reforming their lives, and bringing Christ into the lives of those entrusted to their care especially the youth and the vulnerable. In particular, parents have the responsibility to instill in their children a true Christ-like spirit and an appreciation for Christian values by their own example and behavior.
John exhorts us not to be dreamers and planners only, but doers moved by sincerity and commitment. Being generous always, (because we will be judged according to what we have done) even to strangers. The joy of giving makes our lives truly fulfilling. Most oftentimes those who have nothing to give, are the most generous because, for them, their day-to-day subsistence comes from God, and their time, energy, and availability are given generously. Why tax collectors? John preaches against greed, selfishness, power abuse, and hunger for positions. A stricter judgment will be applied to them. Can they be honest enough as if they work not only for the government but also to be good stewards and responsible caretakers of God’s material blessings? For soldiers: There were no Roman legions stationed in Galilee at this time, and Judeans had been exempt from service in Roman armies since the time of Julius Caesar. Thus, these men were enlisted in the service of Herod Antipas, hated by Jews for they worked as puppets of the king to oppress, abuse, and deprive the people of their basic rights against the Roman occupying power. John, therefore, advised them not to practice extortion, but to be content with their pay and provisions.
John, however, does not tell tax collectors and soldiers to find new occupations but instead tells them to deal fairly and honestly with people. If pressure from above makes it impossible, to be honest, and fair, perhaps they will need to seek other employment. First, though, they should try to bring integrity to their occupation. A Godly person can often bring about positive change from inside the system. Who knows what one Godly person might accomplish! Sermon Writer.
Meeting God face to face: An Old Russian story tells of a farmer named Diametric who, like Simeon in the Gospel of St. Luke (2:26), wishes to see God face-to-face before he dies. He prays to St. Nikolai who promises to grant his wish. The saint goes on to specify the place and the day of the encounter. As the time for encounter draws near, Diametric sets out on his long journey. He has only one thing in mind: his appointment with God. But along the road, he meets an old farmer whose cart has broken down. Now he has a dilemma: must he stop to help the farmer or hurry on to his appointment with God? His kind heart wins and he stays to fix the farmer’s cart. It takes him hours to finish the task and he never makes it to the meeting place. That night, St. Nikolai appears to him in a dream and says: “My friend, you have encountered the Lord. It happened when you helped that unknown man in need.” (Quoted by Fr. Benitez).