Homilies

3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT: WHAT SHALL WE DO?

THE TWO READINGS tell us what our celebration this Sunday is all about. We celebrate the “Gaudete Sunday” and thus, the readings call for rejoicing. The responsorial psalm also captures it: “Cry out with joy and gladness.” Let it be recalled that the season of Advent calls us for expectation and hope. The readings today modify this. It explains that the expectation is a joyful expectation, and the hope is a joyous hope. Because Christ’s coming is getting closer, then there is a reason to be joyful.

Let us now turn to the gospel and reflect on some important points that we find there. John the Baptist preached to the crowds and his preaching was about conversion and repentance. The response of the crowd to it was interesting.

Firstly, the crowds joyfully accepted the challenge thrown by John to them. In fact, their question to John was: “What shall we do?” John’s answers are simple. John clearly tells the crowds that their responsibility is to do good and to be good. In addition, they should not think only of their own needs, but must show concern for others.

Secondly, the people were filled with expectation. In fact, they thought of John as the Messiah. As such, John was seen as the “deliverer” of the people. But John knows well his role. This is the goodness of John the Baptist. Amidst his popularity, he never uses that for personal advancement and glory. He remains a humble person. He tells the crowds, that if they are already happy because of his presence and preaching, they could actually be much happier when Jesus comes. This is so because Jesus is “mightier” than he.

Let us reflect further on joy or happiness. At times, joy can be elusive. We strive to become happy, but sadness comes instead. For example, we see people being successful in their jobs, but unfortunately, there is no sign of happiness in their faces. On the contrary, their life has been so stressful.

Thus, how can we attain joy? I would say that the key to this is to ask the same question that the crowds posed to John, “What shall we do?” What shall we do in order to become happy? John tells us that joy comes from doing good, and from showing generosity to people in need.

The community envisioned by John the Baptist is a sharing and caring community. He says, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” But the world of consumerism and materialism has at times turned the people to be selfish. Instead of sharing clothing or food, some people outdo others in their lifestyle. Such attitude can give one some sense of satisfaction, but not deep and lasting joy. Our best joy comes when we no longer think about ourselves, and then help others in the name of God.

That is the Christian vision: to be generous. And generosity happens when no longer think only of ourselves. When we enter the world of the ‘other’, generosity becomes possible, and likewise, we can get rid of our selfishness. And this gives us a lasting joy. AMEN.

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