Posted by Word Alive — Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD / December 17, 2023
3rd Sunday of Advent – B / Gaudete Sunday
Gaudete, which means “rejoice,” “be joyful,” is the message of this 3rd Sunday of Advent. That’s why the liturgical color for this Sunday is not violet but pink.
The Sunday tells us to be “joyful in hope” because Christ the Messiah has already redeemed us.
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While we should be happy, we should do our part and effort in order to succeed. For instance, if we pray to pass the board exam, we have to burn the proverbial “midnight oil.”
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If we ask God for good health, we must avoid eating fatty food rich in cholesterol or “collaterals,” as someone said; and if we pray for national progress, our political leaders should avoid bribery and other corrupt practices.
As the worn-out saying puts it, “God helps those who help themselves.” In local parlance, “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.”
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In this Gaudete Sunday, John the Baptist is telling us, too, that our joyful Christmas should be translated into concrete acts of Christian love. It’s not enough to rejoice. We should also do something tangible and concrete in reaching out to the needy and the less fortunate.
John the Baptist, who preached openly to the people, was asked for guidance: “What must we do?” (Lk 3,10).
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The Baptist’s reply was simple and direct. “If anyone has two tunics, he must share with the man who has none. And the one who has something to eat must do the same” (Lk 3,11). Then, to those who were using their positions of power to exploit, cheat and intimidate people, John said, “No more!”
In other words, “faith alone” in God is not enough. Faith should bear fruit in active works of love (cf. Gal 5,6). St. James puts it, thus: “Faith without works is dead.”
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Some time ago, I met Fr. Arnold Abelardo, a Claretian priest, who has a center in Nueva Ecija for the rehabilitation of youths apprehended from “tokhang” raids. Fr. Arnold told the police to send them to his rehab center and give them the necessary treatment.
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Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, my confrere, has likewise a center called “Kalinga” which takes care of street children providing food and even bathing service as part of the children’s hygienic training.
All of these exemplify what John the Baptist and Jesus said about reaching out to the “least of Christ” brethren.
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There are owners of companies and malls who concretely apply acts of charity like providing students scholarship. The biggest of these benefactors is SM. God bless all of them. There are other numerous ways whereby we can “give love” like visiting the sick, contributing for the support of orphanages and houses of the handicapped.
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The gospel today tells us to be joyful because Christ has saved us. But “giving love” to the less fortunate, especially on Christmas, makes us truly happy, joyful, and blessed.
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THE LIGHTER SIDE. In this joyous season of merrymaking and endless Christmas parties, remember this commandment: “Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.”
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Beggar with outstretched hand says to a wealthy man: “Please, sir, this Christmas be kind … even if it’s only for a cup of coffee. Rich man: “Here…this will buy you 10 cups of coffee.”
After a week, the beggar meets the rich man and growls: “Hey, you almost killed me. The 10 cups of coffee caused me high blood!”
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