Sunday ReadingsCommentary and Reflections

3rd Sunday of Advent CGaudete Sunday

December 13, 2015In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy

In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st reading: Zephaniah 3,14-18a

14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! 17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, 18 as one sings at festivals.

The focus is on rejoicing.

Textual Context of Zephaniah 3,14-18a

Part I Oracles against the sins of Judah (1,2-2,3; 3,1-8) Part II Oracles against enemy nations (2,4-15) Part III Promises of deliverance (new hope after repentance)

(3,9-20)

Zephaniah or Sophonia

Used with permission from PBS.

1st reading: Zephaniah 3,14-18a

Exhortation to rejoice 14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be

glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! Reasons for rejoicing 15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has

turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no

further misfortune to fear. Exhortation in another form 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion,

be not discouraged! Reason to fear not 17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He

will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, 18 as one sings at festivals.

A simple outline!

1st reading: Zephaniah 3,14-18aExhortation to rejoice 14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!

sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!

Reasons for rejoicing 15 The LORD has removed the

judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies;

The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.

Exhortation in another form 16 On that day, it shall be said to

Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!

Reason to fear not 17 The LORD, your God, is in your

midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, 18 as one sings at festivals.

Commentary Zephaniah prophesied during the

time of Josiah, before the Exile. People were worshipping idols (sun,

moon, stars), because of the pagan Assyrian influence.

For a pious Israelite, it was not the proper thing to do; it invited God’s judgment.

People were living in fear (vv.15-16) For the prophet, in spite of the

sinfulness of the people, God assures them of his presence and solidarity.

God/King/Lord will be in their midst. God himself is happy. He will

rejoice… will sing joyfully. (v.17) Parallelism is the style in v.14.

Reflections on the 1st reading The message of the prophet is “rejoicing.” Not only the Israelites are entitled to rejoice, but also God himself.

Ibang klase ang Diyos natin. God is not without feelings. The 3rd Sunday of Advent gives us the reasons to be joyful. One reason: God has removed his judgment (punishment).

Enemies (those who destroy our families, properties, our nation, our identity, our religious beliefs) are no more. God will be the one ruling us, not our invaders.

Another reason: Though powerful, our God is able to rejoice; he feels with us; he becomes human for us. He joins in our rejoicing.

Can we rejoice in the midst of tragedies, catastrophes and misfortunes?

Let us listen to the voice of the prophet. If we believe in God, it is possible.

Others say it is impossible. Don’t listen to them.

Resp. Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

R. (6)  Cry out with joy and gladness:  for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

2 God indeed is my savior;I am confident and unafraid.3 My strength and my courage is the LORD,and he has been my savior.With joy you will draw waterat the fountain of salvation.

4 Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;among the nations make known his deeds,proclaim how exalted is his name.

5 Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,for great in your midstis the Holy One of Israel!

Resp. Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

R. (6)  Cry out with joy and gladness:  for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

2 God indeed is my savior;I am confident and unafraid.3 My strength and my courage is the LORD,and he has been my savior.With joy you will draw waterat the fountain of salvation.

4 Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;among the nations make known his deeds,proclaim how exalted is his name.

5 Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,for great in your midstis the Holy One of Israel!

Commentary The responsorial psalm does not really

come from the Book of Psalms but from the Book of Isaiah.

It is a thanksgiving song of Israel in the language of the Psalms.

V.2 affirms God as the psalmist’s savior. V.3 affirms God as his strength and

courage, and again the savior. V.4 exhorts everyone to be thankful to the

Lord. God’s name should be advertised to all

nations, including his deeds. V.5 exhorts people to praise God for his

wonderful deeds (achievements, accomplishments). His deeds must be broadcasted. V.6 exhorts the inhabitants of Jerusalem

(city of Zion, city of David) for God (the Holy One) is in their midst.

Reflections on the Resp. Psalm

The responsorial psalm goes along well with the message of the first reading to rejoice.

Joy comes as a result of our realization that God is good.

We cannot rejoice if we are not aware of God’s wonderful deeds in our lives.

Rejoicing anticipates God’s salvific act when we are in trouble.

The responsorial psalm urges us to burst into joy. We accentuate / exaggerate our rejoicing and

thanksgiving.

2nd reading: Philippians 4,4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! 5 Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The focus is on rejoicing!

Textual Context of Phil 4,4-7

Outline: (NJBC)Letter A 4,10-20 (acknowledging gift) B 1,1--3,1a; 4,4-7.21-33 (urging unity and joy) C 3,1b--4,3.8-9 (polemical letter)

Philippi

Place of Writing: Ephesus or Rome

Date of Writing: 60’s

2nd reading: Philippians 4,4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! 5 Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Commentary V.4 sets the mood of the

reading. In the imperative mood: rejoice.

V.5 gives the reasons for rejoicing: kindness should be

known, the Lord is near.

V.6 exhorts every Christian to pray.

V.7 expresses the result of rejoicing and praying: peace of God will guard….

Reflections on the 2nd reading

Paul in his prison cell is able to encourage his fellow Christians to rejoice.

Rejoicing is triggered by the coming of Christ soon.

Anxiety has no place in Christian lives expecting the coming of the Lord.

Anxiety spoils rejoicing. They don’t go together.

This third Sunday of Advent exhorts Christians to rejoice for indeed the Lord is near (Christmas is near.)

Gospel reading: Luke 3,10-18 10 And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" 11

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." 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?" 13 He answered them, "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed." 14 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." 15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 16 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. 17 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." 18 Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

The reading focuses on appropriate behavior.

Gospel reading: Luke 3,10-18Crowds to John 10 And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" John’s response 11 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." Tax collectors to John 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we

do?" John’s response 13 He answered them, "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed." Soldiers to John 14 Soldiers also asked him, "And what is it that we should do?" John’s response He told them, "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with

your wages." People to John 15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether

John might be the Messiah. John’s response 16 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. 17 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." 18 Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

A simple outline!

Gospel reading: Luke 3,10-18Crowds to John 10 And the crowds asked him,

"What then should we do?" John’s response 11 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."

Tax collectors to John 12 Even tax collectors came

to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

John’s response 13 He answered them, "Stop

collecting more than what is prescribed."

Soldiers to John 14 Soldiers also asked him,

"And what is it that we should do?"

John’s response He told them, "Do not practice

extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages."

Commentary This is the question and answer portion of John’s

ministry. All kinds of people consult with John regarding

the concrete application of his teaching on repentance.

John is able to identify the sins of each group and give appropriate solutions.

His answers have something to do with justice and charity.

Baptized Christians should practice justice and charity to people. V.11

They should not use their position to extort money. Vv.12-13 (Take note tax collectors, BIR and law enforcers.)

Christians should be able to share from the little they have (clothing and food).

The one who has is exhorted to share. It does not matter how much one has.

Apportioning, allocating, sharing of goods must be part of the Christian agenda, plan of life.

Who cannot be happy if there is justice and charity?

Gospel reading: Luke 3,10-18People to John 15 Now the people were

filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.

John’s response 16 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. 17 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." 18 Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

In v.15, the people approve John’s preaching, therefore they ask if he is the Messiah.

Vv.16-17 clarify who John is and who the Messiah is.

John baptizes with water / Jesus baptizes with holy Spirit and fire

John is not worthy to loosen… his sandals / Jesus is mightier than he.

Jesus comes to separate wheat from chaff and to judge (punish the wicked).

In v.18, John continues to exhort his listeners to reform their lives as he preaches the good news to them.

Reflections on the gospel reading We have summarized the exhortations of John the

Baptist into two: justice and charity. Conversion is not just a pietism or something

emotional, but an intelligent commitment to charity and justice.

Be warned: Our work/position/power can be a source of abuses and oppression.

As we enjoy our employment, we see to it that we don’t oppress anyone, but give justice and be charitable to people at all times. We have mercy on them.

It is a tangible way of showing our conversion. Justice and charity is our response to God’s invitation to

conversion. If this is done, we have reasons to rejoice.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading exhorts the sorrowing to rejoice. It enumerates many reasons why they should rejoice: coming of the savior, no more misfortunes.

The responsorial psalm backs up the message of the first reading: to rejoice.

The second reading likewise exhorts Christians to rejoice, because the coming of the Lord is near.

The gospel reading does not explicitly exhort us to rejoice, but surely, if all of us do what Saint John the Baptist is telling us, there will be rejoicing, especially those who have not.

How to develop your homily and sharing

This third Sunday of Advent accentuates the message of joy. After one more Sunday, it is Christmas.

Ask the congregation: Have you been happy with your life? Why? (new house, son passed board exams, found a new friend, received a nice gift, etc.)

Some people can’t be happy because of the many issues/ problems they are facing: bills to pay, loss of a loved one, feeling oppressed, feeling abandoned, injustices, hopelessness, prolonged illness, conflicts with friends and relatives and employers/employees, etc.

Don’t we have the right to rejoice (to be happy) when we are confronted with all kinds of misfortunes?

The answer of the readings is in the affirmative.

According to the readings, we have no right to be sad, because there are many more reasons to be happy.

The prophet in the first reading exhorts the people to rejoice because God removes judgment (punishment).

We can rejoice even if we are hard up in our lives.

We are called to celebrate our hopes and anticipate God’s promises.

We rejoice because God accepts us even if we have fallen into sin.

Joy comes about when we let God rule over us, not our enemies.

Paul in the second reading exhorts the Christians to rejoice because Christ is coming soon.

Paul is insistent on rejoicing always in the Lord. Paul knows the implications of the nearness of the

Lord Jesus. It is the end of misery and the victory of good.

So rejoice. You can’t rejoice if you don’t believe that God is near

and is not coming at all.

The gospel reading teaches us to be just and charitable.

We cannot truly rejoice if we are unjust, uncharitable and merciless.

Inability to rejoice is the result of being unjust and uncharitable.

If we want to stop living miserable lives and making others miserable, then we should exercise justice and charity.

Peace and happiness are the fruits of the communal practice of justice and charity.

In our communities, we need people who can give us energy in the midst of crisis.

We need people who can celebrate life with us, who can increase the little hope that we have, and who allow us to die with dignity.

We have no right to lead our communities, parishes and companies, if our nature is always to see the dark side of things.

It is against justice and charity to look gloomy all the time. It is un-Christian.

The eucharist is God’s way of making us happy.

He assures us of his presence and his reign through the tangible consecrated bread and wine.

In the eucharist, we dispose ourselves to be happy even if only at that particular moment.

In the eucharist, let his message dictate what we need to do with our lives, not the message of those who make our lives miserable.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

Kill joy Negativistic Pessimistic Cynical False joys, enhanced by vices (nicotine, drugs, illicit sex,

gambling) Sadomasochism Chaotic celebrations Unjust situations Unfair labor practices

Happy faces Joyful disposition Hopeful, optimistic Proactive, know how to

anticipate Have a sense of humor Good performers Good artists Just society Happy celebrations Well planned

celebrations

Suggested Songs

Make Straight the Path http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWlq2ouoEMg

Shout with Exultation O Come O Come Emmanuel