Homily For The 3rd Sunday Of Advent Year B.

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Isaiah 61:1-2.10-11; Psalm 1:46-50.53-54; 2 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8.19-28.

“THE SPIRIT OF ADVENT!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      Today the church celebrates the third Sunday of Advent Year B. Today is traditionally known as the “Gaudete Sunday”. Which simply means rejoicing Sunday. Advent is a time for serious preparation to receive the messiah, so what is joyful about it?

·      This Sunday we are called to be joyful because the coming of the Lord is closer to us than ever before. We are joyful not just because he is coming, we are joyful because of the blessings his coming will bring among us.

·      On this Sunday, we reflect on the theme “The spirit of Advent”. Just like every other season in the church, the Advent season has its own spirit and what we are expected to do. The spirit of advent is the spirit of preparation, levelling mountains and filling up valleys. It is a spirit of reaching out beyond our comfort zones. It comes with it the spirit of reconciliation, peace, unity, and love.

·      This is exactly what the Prophet Isaiah talked about in the first reading (Isaiah 61:1-2.10-11) when he declared that “the spirit of the Lord is upon him and has anointed him to bring Good news to the poor....” (Is. 61:1). What is advent season and the Christmas season if the poor and less privileged are not reached out to?

·      The spirit of Advent is the spirit that challenges us to imbibe what is clearly spelled out in the first reading. What kind of advent season are you having, what kind of messiah are you waiting to receive or celebrate if you do not have the passion “to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Is. 61:1-3).

·      For all those who desire to be saved, for all those who desire to be happy, for those who want to keep rejoicing always, we must, first, apply the spirit of Advent to our lives. For if we do so, God will clothe us with the garment of salvation and cover us with the robe of righteousness.

·      The second reading (2 Thessalonians 5:16-24), which is the central theme for this Sunday’s reflection, invites us to be joyful and to rejoice always and give thanks to God in all circumstances whether good or bad because that is God’s will for us. No wonder St. Paul asks us, “What can separate us from the love of God...?” (Rom. 8:35-39).

·      Dear friends in Christ, whether in plenty or in want we must keep rejoicing, whether in pain or in gain we must keep faith and trust in God, whether in courage or in uncertainty we must keep hope alive. The Lord wants us “not to quench the Spirit, not to despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21).

·      The spirit of Advent is also a spirit of humility. The ability for us to know our unique and individual roles in the plan of salvation. In the gospel reading (John 1:6-8.19-28), John the Baptist clearly understood his role as the one to bear testimony to the light. He is not the light and never claimed to be light despite the huge temptation to do so.

·      Dearly beloved in Christ, to be happy and to rejoice always we must always be ready to accept ourselves for who we are and not to claim who we are not. It is Christmas season now, and a lot of us are prepared to borrow to impress this season only to return to reality in January and be filled with sadness and pain.

·      John the Baptist should become a model of contentment for all of us. He was the announcer of Jesus and nothing more, he was the one to prepare the minds of the people to receive the Messiah, he was the voice crying in the wilderness calling us to prepare well to receive Jesus.

·      Today we must ask ourselves, have I harkened to the voice of John the Baptist? How am I preparing the way to receive Jesus? As I prepare for Christmas, am I also reaching out to others both physically and materially? Am I ready to practice and let the spirit of Advent guide me as i prepare for Christmas?

·      Do not allow anything or anyone to take away your joy as the Lord’s coming draws nearer. Do not worry about anything, but pray about everything (Eph. 4:6). I repeat it, rejoice, and keep rejoicing your liberation is nearby. Remain committed and hold firm; the darkness will soon turn into light, and the glory of God will dawn in your life. Rejoice and keep rejoicing.

·      May the Almighty God grant us the grace to always trust him, May He always keep us faithful and joyful and above all, always provide for us and give us a cheerful and generous heart through Christ our Lord, Amen.

·      May the good Lord bless his word in our hearts through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·      Happy Sunday!!!

 

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