Joy in the Face of Disaster

Dec. 15: Third Sunday of Advent

Today is Gaudete Sunday, which means “Rejoice!” It’s a reminder from the Church that, even in the austere time of Advent, we’re meant to remain joyful in the eternal presence of God and the hope of our future in Heaven. The readings remind us that this is true in even the worst times of our lives.

Most people who read this substack know my daughter's condition. What you might not know is that her birthday is tomorrow, nine days before Christmas. So this year, I plan on saying a novena prayer from her birthday until Jesus. If you'd like to pray along, too, follow on the Novena for Amelia substack.

Reading I

Zep 3:14-18a

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
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.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
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,
as one sings at festivals.

Zephaniah is a generally negative prophet—he foretells the destruction of Jerusalem, the ruination of Israel, and the exile of mot of its people. So how does today's reading fit with that prophecy?

God promises, through Zephaniah, that he's going to leave a remnant in Israel. No matter how desperate the situation is, there is always hope in God. Even in the midst of death and destruction, we can hold onto our faith that Jesus will be our salvation, now and forever.

Responsorial 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.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Like Zephaniah, Isaiah prophesies not only the doom of Israel, but also its salvation. Because we can always count on God’s saving power, we can always thank him, as well. Gratitude is an important component to joy.

Reading II

Phil 4:4-7

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

Paul is in a really bad spot while writing his letter to the Philippians. He’s been arrested, in danger of execution. But he doesn’t fall into despair. He reminds his readers to rejoice, because joy is infectious. We can bring joy to others simply by remembering all that we have to be thankful for.

Of course, we can bring our requests and petitions to God. He knows what we need, as any good parent does, but it helps us to focus on what really matters. We bring only our most important requests to God. And we can thank Him even at the same time, because we know His answer will come in the most loving way at the right time.

Alleluia

Is 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

It’s worth noting that Jesus quotes Isaiah, taking up the tradition of the prophets to make it clear that He is the one who was promised. Notice that there’s no mention of miracles or signs; just glad tidings to the poor.

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 expectation, 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.

People asked John the Baptist what they can do to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. He doesn’t tell them to study or pray or meditate. He gives them very tangible, very practical assignments—give to the poor and needy; stop ripping people off; be grateful for what we have.

There will be difficult times ahead, no doubt. But even this can be regarded as “good news”—Jesus is coming!