Third Sunday of Advent
Gospel: Lk 3:10-18
It’s Gaudete Sunday! We are halfway to Christmas, so today we wear the color rose to express this particular joy of being halfway there. The church defines joy as “the pleasure, satisfaction, contentment, rest and happiness experienced as a result of the possession of a basic human good.” Joy is the completion of happiness.
In the first reading from Zephaniah, it is proclaimed that God has removed judgment, turned away our enemies, and we do not need to fear misfortune in our future. It also proclaims that the Lord is in our midst. This scripture has been used to oppress as well as liberate; Europeans (who would come to be called white) used scripture to justify the enslavement of Africans. This scripture has also been used to inspire those who have been oppressed to keep their faith. Today, we interpret this reading from the view of those who are oppressed by the power structures of this world. We acknowledge that God is near, and our oppression is coming to an end!
It is the second reading from Philippians, where we take the theme of joy. In this reading, we are encouraged to rejoice and rejoice in the presence of God. We are inspired to pray and make our request known to God. We can make our request known that we await the ending of the oppression for all God’s people; so that we may all experience the joy that comes from the return of the Messiah.
The gospel of Luke brings us back to John the Baptist’s preaching. Luke’s gospel is the only gospel to include an exchange of questions and answers between John and the tax collectors and soldiers. John’s response to their questions challenges their role in making life burdensome for the people of the community. Johns says, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed” and “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages”. Simply said: stop oppressing the people. This Gospel also includes the famous line “One who is more powerful than I am is coming”; John is committed to letting the people know he is not the messiah; and that they must prepare for the Messiah is near. So near in fact, that we wear the color rose with joy, for the second coming is near, the Messiah will return, and the people will no longer be oppressed. In the meantime, we must continue to hold onto our faith, hold out our light, and wait just a little bit longer.
Black Moses is the Call to Action Executive Director. He is based in New Orleans.
