THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (GAUDETE SUNDAY)

Описание: (Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11)

Theme: The Patient with Weak Hands and Anxious Heart Will Rejoice

On Gaudete Sunday, we are asked to faithfully and patiently await the Lord’s powerful return. St. James reminds us in the second reading to be patient for the Lord’s coming, just as farmers wait for the valuable fruits of the earth until they receive both the early and late rains. Still, we must ask: are patient people truly rewarded in today’s world?

Sadly, we have observed instances in which people wait patiently in line for bread, while others use strategies to skip ahead. I have female friends who chose to remain chaste before marriage but married later in life and had difficulties having children, whereas those with seemingly lax moral standards have healthy children and sometimes even place them for adoption. I have also seen bright students avoid cheating, only to face delays in university admission. Additionally, several honest and hardworking friends have gone unrewarded at work, whereas those who cut corners seem to advance in life. So, are patient people rewarded in this world?

St James also encourages us not grumble so that we may not be judged. Yet, it is hard to stay silent when those who are patient are manipulated by the powerful. How do we stay silent, when our brothers and sisters are killed, their homes destroyed, and their leaders do nothing?

Despite our justified complaint, we believe and trust that the Divine word endures. Hence, we concur with Prophet Isaiah’s message in today’s first reading that the patient and meek must remain strong and unafraid; that a time of justice will come, when the Lord, who acted and acts in history, will renew the strength, make up for losses, and heal the wounds of the patient and anxious.

St Matthew reveals in today’s gospel that our Lord Jesus’ messianic works serve as evidence that God’s reign of renewal and restoration has begun. In other words, our Messianic Lord will not only offer healing to the patient and meek but also extend His mercy to those who, though previously greedy and oppressive, choose to change their lives with God’s mercy and love.

Yes, the Lord’s call to repentance and restoration is different from John the Baptist’s message of retributive justice and the coming Messiah. In response to John’s question, our Lord revealed that He alone embodies the hope of salvation for all humanity, particularly those who wait with courage, patience and compassion.