3rd Sunday of Advent Singing….Shouting……Sharing!!! Zeph3:14-18
Phil4:4-7
Lk3:10-18 Dear sisters and brothers, we are called to rejoice with singing and shouting on this third Sunday of advent because God is here in our midst not to condemn but to cleanse and restore us. So there is every reason to sing and shout. Our joy will be complete, only if our singing and shouting conclude in sharing with others especially needy. We shall feel the urge to rejoice as we listen to the word of God and celebrate this Eucharistic banquet.
"He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none" (Lk 3: 11): I once heard of a Christian speaker who declared rhetorically, expecting the answer "Yes"': "If you had two houses, you would give one to the poor, wouldn't you?" "Yes," said the man to whom the question was directed, "indeed I would." "And if you had two cars," went on the speaker, "you would keep one and give the other away?" "Yes, of course," said the man. "And if you had two shirts, you would give one away?" "Hey, wait a minute," said the man, "I've got two shirts."
The possessing attitude does not bring out joy in us.
The world is corrupted with violence instead of peace and harmony!
The national leaders are power brokers instead of being peace makers!
The religious leaders show their authority instead being tolerant!
The intellectuals wanted to be popular instead of serving humanity!
Friends look for pleasures instead of being equal brothers and sisters!
So, power, pleasures, popularity and wealth have corrupted every sphere and circle of life in this world. When we are corrupted there is no place for God in our midst, and of course there is no question for singing, shouting and sharing. The call for us through third Sunday of advent readings is to be cleansed of all our corrupted things, elements and stages.
Our hero from the first reading prophet Zephaniah lived during the rule of King Josiah in the second half of the 7cent B.C.E. Both worked together reforming and restoring the life of the people. They made all the efforts to cleanse the corrupt worship in the temple and brought real joy in temple and in community. People forgot the monotheism taught and practiced by Moses and went after alien Gods. They worshipped sun, moon and stars practicing what existed in surroundings. Their life, worship and thoughts were corrupted with impure, improper and unjust thoughts and actions. Prophet was asking them to come out and get cleansed because God of Yahweh is our only God and He is here with us, He has come to cleanse us so rejoice, sing and shout with joy.
We have advent hero in the gospel John the Baptist who plays the cleansing role of Zephaniah. We read people coming out of Jerusalem and going to him to be cleansed. They are crowds, tax collectors and soldiers. Crowds = ordinary people; tax collectors = very unobservant Jews; soldiers = violent pagan oppressors. Crowds were ordinary people who were caught between the Jewish religious oppression and Romans political control forgetting human concern the uniqueness of the of first Christian community. The tax collectors were Jews who collected the taxes Rome had imposed on their fellow-Jews. The system of collection opened the door to many abuses. The tax collector had to give the Roman authorities a certain amount each year for his district. He could exact whatever sum he liked provided Rome got the sum decided on. Thus, injustice was widespread; the Roman taxes were a hated burden for Jews, the collector made them more hated still. The "soldiers" were most probably not those of the Roman or Herod's army but the henchmen of the tax collectors who often used strong arm methods to get the taxes, and often collected something extra for themselves. John's answer to both is: "be just." Why do they come out of Jerusalem to John? It is because Jerusalem and temple which is supposed to be a place of priest, worship and sacrifice has become corrupt and sinful including worship of various worship and political dominance. So they come out of this corrupt and sinful situation and place to be cleansed by John. John’s baptism in Jordan washes them and brings new joy as new people, after being baptized and cleansed they feel the difference and feel like doing something. So He says to go and share with the needy, share your food and clothing also treat others as your brothers and sisters finding fulfillment in all these. Here we know that our baptism should enable us to work and involve in mission, baptism is for action that will bring out joy.
Last week a person called me to talk to me. When I responded, he asked will the Lord cleanse me and restore joy in my life. I asked him why do you doubt and why do you feel that God will not restore your joy. He shared that he had a liver transplant ten years ago, but he was not grateful to God, he did not time to God, he was not regular to church rather he was in the company of bad friends and failed in his family responsibility. I am corrupt and lost real peace and joy in my life now again I feel I am very sick, I think it is too late, God gave me enough warning and time but I did not realize and respond but I want to be cleansed, I said, God sees your real and inner desire that is enough I asked him whether he is interested go for the sacrament of reconciliation, with hesitation he said yes. After the sacrament of reconciliation I could see the joy on his face.
This third week of advent initiate us to go for the sacrament of reconciliation realizing that we are corrupted in so many ways personally, in our relationship with others, in exercising our responsibilities and seeking power, pleasure and popularity in place God. so we need to be cleansed to experience the Joy that is Jesus is with us thus will lead us to sing, shout and share that joy with one another. Are we ready? The days are close so let us act fast-Amen.
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