GAUDETE IN DOMINO SEMPER

Meditation for the Third Sunday of Advent
(Is 35:1-60,10; James 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11)

Let us meditate on the mystery of Jesus Christ, who is to come, and also who is in our midst. While we look forward and await His coming in glory, we celebrate Him now because we have experienced His saving power. Advent Season prepares us with joy to celebrate His presence among us, which is marked by Christmas. At the same time, it helps us to wait for His final coming with a living faith. This third Sunday of Advent celebrates the consoling joy we have in Jesus even we as await His coming in glory; Gaudete in Domino semper (Rejoice in the Lord always).

What does the coming of the Messiah look like? The prophet Isaiah prescribes it like that refreshing moment when water springs up in the desert. He compares it to a situation where a weak and feeble person regains straight and courage. “Be strong, fear not! Behold your God will come and save you.” The prophet says the coming of the Messiah shall bring everlasting joy; “They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

 

John the Baptist captures the Advent mystery we are celebrating today. He was the Voice who announced the coming of the Messiah, and he lived to experience His presence. However, he was already in prison when Jesus was carrying out the messianic work as announced by Isaiah. Still, the humility of Jesus, and the simple ways He was instilling divine action among men, must have left John to have a rethink. So he sent his servants to ask Jesus, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Jesus sent them back, to share with John what they personally experienced of Him; “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk…” They experienced the fulfilment of the prophecy about the coming of the Messiah. Without such personal experience of Jesus, it will be difficult for one’s faith to grow and for him to bear witness.

 

Meditate on the experience of Jesus that is available for us today. Think about the great mystery of Christ Jesus we have that even John the Baptist did not experience. Jesus described him as ‘more than a prophet.’ “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” John heard about the saving work of Christ through his servants, but we participate in the mystery of His saving passion, and have a foretaste of the heavenly communion. We all have become God’s first-born sons and daughters in Christ (Heb 12:23), and co-heirs with Christ in the riches of grace in glory.

 

Therefore, our waiting for the coming of Jesus in glory is powered, not by prophetic messages, but by our personal encounter with Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit. The witness we bear for Jesus, the life we live that is guided by faith in Him, becomes our great Advent because our manner of life testify that we are waiting in hope for glorious revelation of God’s children (Rm 8:19-25). That is why we must be patient, and firm in faith for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Let us emulate the example of John the Baptist, the prophets and saints, who witnessed to Jesus through their endurance. Then, the ransom of the Lord and everlasting joy shall come upon us. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday December 11, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com