3rd Sunday of Advent Year C Homily

On this Gaudete Sunday we rejoice for the Lord is near.

Throughout this season of Advent we have been continuously reminded of our need to prepare ourself for the one who is to come. Last week Saint John the Baptist commanded us in the words of the Prophet Isaiah: "prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." This week he further exhorts us to turn away from our sin because the one who is coming "will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Time is speedily moving along and therefore we must do something with the time that has been extended unto us. At this time of the year many are running about stressed by the fact that Christmas will soon be here. There is stress because there is still shopping to be done, cards to be filled out, and decorations to be put up around the home. Despite these many anxieties and the  others which exist from within this world we are instructed to "rejoice."

We "rejoice" because what we are moving towards is a tranquility and peace which this world is very much so in need of. The world has a longing to encounter Jesus Christ for it is here alone in which the reality of peace can be found. We "rejoice" today because the path which has been set before us to encounter Christ is forever growing shorter. The end is in sight! We are not building up a level of stress, but instead we as Christians await Christ with joyful expectation.

If we are filled with joyful expectation at the reality in which we await we in return will prevail ourself to the mercy of God. Towards God's mercy we come with a contrite heart and are made clean. The chaff that is separated from the wheat by the winnowing fan will be burned for it is found without use. We do not want to become this chaff which falls away. Rather we should prevail ourself to God's mercy and be made clean.

As a Church we embarked upon the Year of Mercy on December 8th which was our celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On this day the "Holy Doors" were opened by Pope Francis at Saint Peter's in Rome. Doors are a passageway which leads us from sin towards forgiveness, death towards life, and chaff towards wheat. It is not enough to be content with our life if we have closed ourself off from conversion and receiving God's mercy. This door remains open for you, but one must desire it to enter through it.

So let us "rejoice" for our Lord is merciful. As a child is drawn towards a present found under the Christmas tree with great anticipation on Christmas morning, so should we be concerning God's mercy. There is a lot for us to prepare for in these days which lay ahead, but may we always be found "rejoicing" at the Lord's coming. We should rush towards this gift of God's mercy that has been extended towards us with joy and gladness as we "rejoice" at the Lord's coming.