Advent is technically a penitential
season as we prepare for the coming of the Messiah, and today is a
respite from the generally somber tone of the season. Today is
Gaudete Sunday, or Rose Sunday. Today we light the rose/pink candle
and, if so inclined, wear rose/pink vestments. You will notice that
I am not so inclined.
Traditionally the service began with
the singing of a psalm and antiphon. On this day the antiphon began,
“Gaudete in Domino semper,” or, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
Which, if you remember, comes from the Philippians reading we heard
earlier.
In this short penitential season of
preparation and expectation, today is a day set aside for rejoicing.
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice. That theme of
rejoicing is found in all of our readings today – yes, even the
gospel.
The reading from Zephaniah is similar
to last week's reading from Baruch in that it looks forward to the
restoration of Israel. Rejoice and exult with all your heart, for I
will bring you home and restore your fortunes.
But this just isn't about the
restoration of fortunes. This just isn't about returning to the
glory days of yesteryear, or of returning to some halcyon days of old
that never really existed. Look at what almost gets missed in this
passage: I will save the lame and gather the outcast, I will change
their shame into praise and renown.
This is not simply rejoicing because
things are going well. This is rejoicing because God's people have
been restored. Think about a time when you have been restored –
physically, emotionally, spiritually, or financially – and you
begin to understand the joy behind this reading. For me, when I
could sleep in my own bed, when I could feel my fingers, when I could
begin to grasp things, when I could raise my shoulder above my head
were all times of rejoicing. I'm sure there are other times in my
life, and in yours, when we were able to rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always – Gaudete!
The Canticle is also a passage of
rejoicing. Surely it is God who saves me, I will trust in him and
not be afraid. You shall draw water with rejoicing. Ring out your
joy.
Obviously the Philippians passage is
joyful. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice.
So we have these three readings that
have a theme of rejoicing and/or joy. These three readings can be,
and should be read, in such a way as to lead their hearers to a point
of rejoicing.
And then there's the gospel: You brood
of vipers! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? He will burn
the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Where's the joy in that? Where's the
joyful expectation or rejoicing in the coming kingdom?
Last week I talked about the lowering
of mountains and hills and the raising up of valleys as a leveling
out of the social, political, and economic inequalities experienced
in society. This leveling out is a result of loving our neighbors,
seeking justice, and respecting the dignity of every human being.
When we live into our baptismal covenant, when we work to make God's
kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, there will be rejoicing.
But this will not happen overnight. It
will take time. It will require each of us to do our part. This is
what the gospel passage addresses, and this is the beginning of joy
in today's passage.
To see the joy, however, we need to get
past the opening sentence; we need to get past the blunt accusations
of being a brood of vipers. We need to get past the cutting down of
unfruitful trees or burning the chaff in an unquenchable fire. Look
at the core of John's message today.
The core of his message is to instruct
people on how to live now, on how to correct past errors. It is a
message of repentance and new life.
“What should we do to avoid the
coming judgment?” If you have two coats, share with anyone who has
none. If you have extra food, share with anyone who has none. Do
not collect exorbitant fees. Do not extort money through threats or
false accusations.
John is giving practical examples of
how we can level things out, of how we can lower mountains and hills,
and raise valleys. If we were to live into this admonishment from
John, if we could live into these ideals, think of the rejoicing that
would ensue.
I read a story last week about a bank
that mistakenly foreclosed on a home loan. Think of the rejoicing
that would have happened had the bank been more focused on the people
than on their system. I saw the story/video of a mother applying for
assistance who had her child forcibly removed from her. There was
another story . . . . and another story . . . . and another story.
These continue to raise mountains and hills and lower valleys. These
stories do nothing to bring about God's kingdom, let alone rejoicing.
But what if we took John's words to
heart? What if we began treating people as we want to be treated, or
as we want God to treat us? Then I believe there would be cause for
rejoicing.
Those who are far off will be brought
near. Those who are outcast will be welcomed. Those who are less
than will be healed and made whole. So draw water with rejoicing.
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice!
This is the season of preparation. And
today is the day of rejoicing. What in your life is worthy of
rejoicing? And maybe more importantly, what have you done to help
another person rejoice?
Because I think our greatest time of
rejoicing is when we see God at work in the world and when we have an
active role in establishing God's kingdom on earth, as it is in
heaven.
Gaudete!
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