By Naresh Namindla csc –
Readings: Zeph 3: 14-18; Phil 4: 4-7; Lk 3: 10-18
We are in the third Sunday of advent which is called the Rejoice Sunday. In today’s gospel reading, we see John the Baptist, preaching to the people to mend their behaviour of cheating others, collecting more money, and dominating the poor, and preparing them to cultivate the habit of sharing material things with others.
One who has two tunics is to share with one who does not have. The one who has food is to share it to the one who does not have. He further gives hope to the people by saying the one who comes after him will baptise them with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The first reading assures that God lives among the people, therefore rejoice that the Lord will take away the evil and save them from the enemies. The second reading tells, rejoice as the Lord is at hand and asks us not to be anxious about anything. Thus, today’s liturgy invites us to rejoice that the Lord is going to be born. The saviour is going to live amidst us, for he is called Emmanuel.
To rejoice at the birth of Jesus, John the Baptist urges us to mend our behaviour of living with sinful nature and asks us to repent. He further urges us to care for our neighbours by sharing things. If we have two shirts, give one to someone who does not have. The good deed we do to others will make us rejoice at the Lord’s coming.
Therefore, let us repent and be pure at heart to welcome the child Jesus into our hearts.