December 13, 2009
It seems that we can only rejoice once we have gone through much distress and hardship. The Israelites truly do rejoice when they believe Zephaniah’s words that God has forgiven their waywardness and that God has chosen to be in their midst. We often cannot comprehend the relief they feel until we immerse ourselves emotionally into the text. It is similar to having a life-sentence in prison pardoned for a crime for which you were unjustly accused, or removing a long-standing prejudicial law from the books that oppresses a people who are a minority. This pervading sense of gloom and doom will be defeated because you have been set free; not only that, God is singing and rejoicing because the right relationship has been restored.
In Luke’s Gospel, the crowds expectantly gather around John the Baptist to find out if he is the Messiah. His teaching prepares them for a further repentance, a more advanced turning towards God by offering simple acts of care for one’s neighbors, such as sharing food or clothing with a less fortunate neighbor. These acts will demonstrate the authenticity of one’s baptismal call because they are outward manifestations of the Spirit. John’s work is a preparation for a more genuine conversion that will further purify the believer. This baptism with fire will sift away every impediment in our lives that keep us separated from God’s delight. This refinement will bring about our joy.
During Advent and Christmas we wish peace and joy to many loved ones, but for the remainder of the year the word “joy” is seldom heard. Is it because it is seldom experienced? Is it a tip-toe happiness that exudes from the depths of our souls? Does it arise only after great suffering? We speak of the joy of the resurrection, but it is a sober joy because we first watched Jesus first go through his excruciating Passion. Note that in today’s readings the people also experienced much suffering before they could feel their joy. Joy seems to be a perduring emotion that is evoked from our good fortune of the prospect of possessing what we really want – God’s redeeming, consoling, abiding love for us. This is what we celebrate today for we know that our God is coming soon to be among us because of God’s great delight for us.
Quote for the Week
Paul’s Letter to the Philippians captures the spirit of Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday in which we can rejoice at the surprising ways that God comes to redeem us.
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.
Themes for this Week’s Masses
Old Testament: Balaam, an oracle, is amazed when he sees the tribes of Israel surrounded by the presence of God and he prophesies that “a star shall advance from Jacob and a staff shall rise from Israel.” Zephaniah tells us that God has the power to change and purify the lips of people and in God’s justice, a righteous remnant shall remain – a people who live in right relations to the Lord. Isaiah declares the omnipotence of the Creator God who is the only God and all creation owes him homage. In Genesis, Jacob blesses his posterity and assures them that all his descendents shall receive the homage due them because of God’s favor. Jeremiah echoes the words of the many prophets before him who tells that a wise king shall govern justly and his name shall be called “The Lord our justice.” In Judges, the foretelling of a virgin birth is revealed by God to Zorah.
New Testament: Hardness of heart overtakes those who question Jesus about his authority. Jesus tells a parable about those who eventually say “yes” to his father’s will that surprisingly allows terrible sinners into the kingdom ahead of the righteous. Signs and wonders abound about the arrival of the Messiah who will fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy. Matthew presents the genealogy of Jesus to locate him squarely in the midst of salvation history – as the one who was foretold for centuries upon centuries. The Lukan nativity story reveals to us how God came to be with us – in the smallest, most vulnerable way possible, as a newborn human infant.
Saints of the Week
Monday: John of the Cross, Doctor, became a Carmelite and later, with Teresa of Avila, founded a new division of the Order called the Discalced (Without Shoes) Carmelites. His reforms were initially opposed by his community and he was imprisoned. It was there that he wrote The Dark Night of the Soul. He wrote other reflections including The Spiritual Canticles, The Living Flame of Love and The Ascent of Mount Carmel.
Thursday: O Sapientia, O Wisdom, O Holy Word of God…Come and teach us the way to salvation.
Friday: O Adonai, O Lord and Leader of the house of Israel…Stretch out your hand to set us free.
Saturday: O Radix Jesse, O Flower of Jesse’s stem…Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
This Week in Jesuit History
• Dec 13, 1545. The opening of the Council of Trent to which Frs Laynez and Salmeron were sent as papal theologians and Fr Claude LeJay as theologian of Cardinal Otho Truchses.
• Dec 14, 1979. Riccardo Lombardi, founder of the Better World Movement, died.
• Dec 15, 1631. At Naples, during an earthquake and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the Jesuits worked to help all classes of people.
• Dec 16, 1544. Francis Xavier entered Cochin.
• Dec 17, 1588. At Paris, Fr Henry Walpole was ordained.
• Dec 18, 1594. At Florence, the apparition of St Ignatius to St Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi.
• Dec 19, 1593. At Rome, Fr Robert Bellarmine was appointed rector of the Roman College.
The Advent Candles
Four candles (three dark blue or deep purple and one rose candle) are lit during the Advent season to count the number of Sundays from the start of the liturgical year until the day of Christ’s birth. The rose signifies that we are hastening towards the Nativity and that there is a sense of joyful anticipation surrounding our waiting. We return to the dark blue/purple next week as we spend time in solemn silence to await the unfolding of this happy event.
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