Word to the Wise
Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - C
[Zeph 3:14-18a; Phil 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18]"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all...[Philippians]
Catholic tradition calls this Third Sunday of Advent by the nickname: Gaudete! Sunday, from a Latin word meaning, "Rejoice!" The first and second scriptures of the day are definitely clues to this! Zephaniah and Paul speak to "messianic hope: Zephaniah to a first coming, and St. Paul to a second one! I suspect that most of us will be thinking about the one nine days from now!!! The rose-colored (ok, ok, pink!) candle on the Advent wreath will be lighted today and in some places the celebrant will wear "rose-colored" vestments! There may be very different expectations in the minds of all. It is not easy to remember a "second coming" when the culture makes it so hard to pay close attention to the first one, represented in the child in the manger! Some will be thinking of all that remains to be done before all the family gathers. Some will find it difficult to be joyful at all because of some tragedy during the past year.
The short line from St. Paul in the words highlighted above gives me a clue: "Your kindness should be known to all." I am beginning a parish mission at St. Genevieve Parish in Thibodaux, LA, in the heart of Cajun country. This distinct culture is noted for its "joie de vivre." I hope to show that this is an essential part of discipleship! When all is said and done, what will make this Advent and Christmas season a joyful one will be the kindness we show to everyone near and far. There will be a somber side to the life of the Christ-child, but today and on Christmas Day, we are urged to express the joy that Zephaniah and St. Paul express, and get the message out to everyone! Today is like knowing the gift you longed for will be there on the glad day of celebration. I think it is definitely worth wearing rose-colored (ok, ok, pink!) vestments! AMEN