THEME: THE JOY OF THE LORD’S COMING*
R1: Isaiah 35: 1 - 6. 10
R2: James 5: 7 -10
Gospel: Mt 11:2-11
Dear friends, today is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for “Rejoice.” Today is celebrated with pink or rose color instead of the purple color of the rest of Advent. Today also the pink candle is lit to symbolize joy. That is why the first reading of today begins with an invitation to the people of Israel to rejoice.
This invitation by the prophet Isaiah, to rejoice came within the worst time of the existence of Israel. The city has been captured and taken into exile in Babylon. The temple was destroyed. Noble men and women were seized and taken away and what was left in Israel was only the old, the sick and children. There was no more music and singing from the temple. Israel was full of sadness, yet, the prophet invites the people to rejoice. This invitation to rejoice is because the Lord is near.
This message of Isaiah goes to all of us Christians today. Many of us have experienced many troubling times while serving God. Like John the Baptist, many of us have been persecuted and abused just because we are Christians. Many people laugh at us and think we are stupid for being Christ followers. For all these and many more, I say to you, rejoice. Very soon the Lord will be here and will wipe away our sorrows.
Before the Lord’s arrival, James advises that we must cultivate the virtue of patience, avoiding complaints so as to avoid being exposed to the dangers of falling away. Hence, just like a farmer who planted a seed, our faith must be watered always with prayers and alms-giving. That means, we should keep on with the good work of God while we await the Lord coming. This is the only thing that will assure us of a rich harvest in the kingdom of God when He arrives.
This means, we are messengers of God in different capacities, hence, we should not recline from dispensing God’s messages by our lives and actions all times. This may not be a pleasurable experience and just like John the Baptist we may be thrown into prison and may sometimes we may doubt. However, let us not forget that our endurance and patience will win us salvation. Therefore, we join the psalmist to pray that the Lord may come quickly and save us, Amen.
*Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.*
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