2 ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
First Reading: Baruch 5: 1 - 9
Responsorial Psalm: 126:1 -2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Second Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:1 - 6
Reflection: In today’s Responsorial Psalm, we responded, “The Lord has great things for us; we are filled with joy.” This psalm goes on saying, “When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.” This message marks the time when Israelites were returning home from Babylonian exile and slavery. The people of Israel were taken into exile and made slaves in Babylon after the destruction of their city and their adorned temple. They were enslaved for 70 years. The reason for their enslavement was their rebellious life against their loving God. God who had brought them from Egyptian slavery into the Promised Land. After 70 years of slavery, God forgave their sins, smoothened the hearts of Babylonians who allowed the remnants to return in their country to start rebuilding. The return of Israelite remnants from Babylonian exile and slavery back home into freedom is the act of great victory and joy. The same joyful
message of freedom is shared by prophet Baruch in today’s First Reading when the prophet invites Israelites into joy, “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name.” In today’s Second Reading, Paul writes to the Philippians, “Brothers and sisters: I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now.” As an apostle of God, Paul is filled with joy when he sees that Philippians are faithful to the gospel of Christ which since is the gospel of life and freedom. What do we find in today’s Gospel Reading? We find John the Baptist going throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. In his powerful message, he shouts out, “A voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” As we celebrate the
Second Sunday of Advent, we are nourished with Holy Scriptures which tells us that the Advent Season is the season of joyful preparation to receive God’s grace which enable us to live as children of God. They invite us to remain faithful to God who has invited people of all times and places to abandon lives of sin and embrace holy life which comes from him. Living in the house of the LORD will always make us free and joyful. The children of Israel both in today’s psalm and in the First Reading experience that joy and freedom as they abandon sinful ways and entrust themselves in the ways of God. Paul is joyful to the Philippians who have remained faithful to the Gospel of Christ. John the Baptist is making it his life mission to invite the people of his time from sin to the holiness of God as they prepare themselves to the First Coming of Jesus. This Advent Season invites to embrace the spirit of penance as we approach the Sacrament of Penance and works of charity. We are invited to make that U-turn from slavery of sin to the
freedom of God’s holiness. We are God’s own children. Yes, we are. Yes! Amen! Fr. Severine.

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3 RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:10-18
Reflection: Today’s Responsorial Psalm reads, “Cry out with joy and gladness for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.” This is the Third Sunday of Advent in we are invited to be joyfully. Traditionally this Sunday is known as “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete is the Latin word translating, ‘rejoice.” The liturgical vestment today may feature rose colors instead of regular purple colors for the Advent season. Rose colors express joy, the theme which emerges in today’s scriptural readings. The four weeks of Advent represent 4,000 years in which the Israelites kept the watch for the fulfillment of God’s promise to send them the Messiah, the Redeemer. Waiting and especially in such an extended amount of time (4000 years) is not fun. Generations came and generations passed away
without seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise. Most of them ended up in despair. As the time went by, God sent his own messengers to his own people with message of encouragement to boost up their spirit and reminding them that his promise is true and valid. The Third Sunday of Advent draws its message from holy scriptures written in the time of people’s despair. These scriptural passages encourage God’s people not to be weary as they are waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promise. They assure them that God’s promise is real and it will be fulfilled. That’s why the Psalmist in today’s Psalm is inviting us with such a exhortation, “Cry out with joy and gladness for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.” In today’s First Reading prophet Zephaniah is coming with the same tone, “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!... the LORD your God, is in you midst, a might savior.” The prophet reminds us that we should not despair and feel gloomy. We are people of great promise, promised by God himself of his own coming. As he writes to the Philippians who were waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus in glory, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: Rejoice! The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Paul encourages Philippians to be strong and trust in God’s promise without faltering. In today’s Gospel Reading, John the Baptist is extremely busy preparing people of his time for the First Coming of Jesus as he calls them to transform their lives from life of darkness to the life of light and righteousness. He invites them to repent and live life of justice and love and peace. John let the people know that, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.” The time of waiting for the coming of the savior is not the time to be guided by fear and anxiety. As Philippians of old, we too live in the time of Advent as we look forward for the second coming Jesus in
his glory to come. During this time of waiting, we are called to fill our hearts with joy. We are called to be patient and engage in virtuous life, life full of service to God and service to neighbors. We are called to keep on building up God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Rejoice in the Lord, Rejoice. Yes! Amen! Fr. Severine.