3rd Sunday of Advent 11 December 2022 Finding joy
When important people are scheduled to give a speech, usually they will be introduced by someone who will also have some importance, but less than the main speaker.
So it could be said with John and Jesus, that John was good enough to be the main event, but he could see, if the people could not, that the One coming after was much greater.
It gives honour to the main person to build up a little expectancy. John takes this role with Our Lord, especially as to the moral and spiritual side of events.
The Messiah was to be above all, a good person, extremely so; more so than people would have been expecting.
The main solution to all Israel’s troubles was to be found in the spiritual domain, not the political or economic.
If they would repent; if they would live holy lives; then they would be free of slavery to other powers, beginning with evil, the worst slavery.
Even such great figures as John and Jesus had difficulty reaching the common person with this teaching. It has ever been a challenge for the Church to pass this message to the world.
If John was the introducer and Jesus the celebrity then we are the ‘audience’, inspired to go out and tell others.
The others may not want to know, however! People can be cynical and complacent. Cynical, insofar as not committing to any particular form of truth. Complacent, insofar as not admitting any serious need of repentance.
We tell them anyway. Not just in our own strength, but combined as the Church.
We have different gifts, and between us we have them all.
(cf 1 Cor 12,4-11).
All of us have a job to do, part of which will be that we make God present by the way we live. A demanding role.
If we are to make any impact we must live pure and dedicated lives like John, so that people will see in us something worth imitating.
We are not only attempting to reach individuals, but from that to achieve a cleansing effect in our whole society – all the social and moral evils which we lament. In Advent imagery there is barren land which suddenly turns green. Sin causes death and decay; holiness restores life, fruit, and beauty.
We must shed what remains of our own cynicism and complacency.
As to cynicism, we still believe in goodness, in right living, in the power of Christ to bring this about in any who will call on Him.
As to complacency, we will not settle for less than the best in our response to Him.
This is why John the Baptist stood out so strongly, because he pushed himself to the limit in the task that he had.
If enough of us would do that, and for long enough, the whole orientation of the world would be turned towards God. Presently the world denies or ignores God but this can change.
In today’s epistle, we are told to be joyful, and hence the name for today – Gaudete Sunday.
We cannot be happy about everything, but let us say that every problem has a solution and that solution is coming.
If I am hungry but I know there is food coming, I still feel hungry, but I also feel a lot better knowing that the remedy is near at hand. This is our position.
Christ comes as the answer to every need, and we reaffirm our gratitude to Him and trust in Him.
Until He comes finally and fully He consoles us, and gives us at least smaller victories, as constant reminders of His presence.
Rejoice in the Lord, always.
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