Fr. Ciza Donatien sx
Today we are celebrating the third Sunday of Advent. It is called Sunday of joy (Gaudete: rejoice). We notice that joy through the first and second readings especially: "Shout of joy, daughter of Zion…Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem" (1st reading); "I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness" (2nd reading). What a great grace to be always happy! The true happiness comes from God. That's why we need to be converted every time.
As the prophets of his time, John the Baptist preached. His preaching was about conversion. Mere people were touched by his preaching and wanted to be converted. The gospel speaks about people, tax collectors, and soldiers who came to him to be baptized, a sign of conversion. The baptism carried out by John was full immersion in the River Jordan.
To the people, John asked them to share—clothes and food. The Advent season is a time of sharing, especially with those who are in need. If only we were people who could share, there would not be any poor in this world. It means we are poor because we do not share. Then, with whom am I going to share my tunics, my food, and my knowledge… this Advent?
The tax collectors came to him also and asked: "Master what must we do?" Tax collectors were hated by people and were regarded as sinners. They were Jews who worked for the Romans (Colonists, occupants). This made them traitors since they were working for the foreigners who ruled over the people. To them, John said: "Exact no more than your rate".
Finally, the soldiers came too. They want to be baptized. "What about us? What must we do?", they asked. The soldiers, although they are supposed to do a good job (security, looking for peace until supreme sacrifice), are always badly seen by people. But in this gospel, they are welcomed by John. Everybody needs conversion because God wants everyone to be saved. "No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!", answered the Baptist.
Let us observe that John Baptist did not tell anyone to leave his job because it was bad. No. Because even if some people like tax collectors, soldiers were badly considered by the society, John respects their work. The only thing is to do well the work. How do I do my work? Am I satisfied with my wage? Don't I use my position to intimidate or to extort others? What really must I do to be converted so as I rejoice in the Lord always?
Today we are celebrating the third Sunday of Advent. It is called Sunday of joy (Gaudete: rejoice). We notice that joy through the first and second readings especially: "Shout of joy, daughter of Zion…Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem" (1st reading); "I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness" (2nd reading). What a great grace to be always happy! The true happiness comes from God. That's why we need to be converted every time.
As the prophets of his time, John the Baptist preached. His preaching was about conversion. Mere people were touched by his preaching and wanted to be converted. The gospel speaks about people, tax collectors, and soldiers who came to him to be baptized, a sign of conversion. The baptism carried out by John was full immersion in the River Jordan.
To the people, John asked them to share—clothes and food. The Advent season is a time of sharing, especially with those who are in need. If only we were people who could share, there would not be any poor in this world. It means we are poor because we do not share. Then, with whom am I going to share my tunics, my food, and my knowledge… this Advent?
The tax collectors came to him also and asked: "Master what must we do?" Tax collectors were hated by people and were regarded as sinners. They were Jews who worked for the Romans (Colonists, occupants). This made them traitors since they were working for the foreigners who ruled over the people. To them, John said: "Exact no more than your rate".
Finally, the soldiers came too. They want to be baptized. "What about us? What must we do?", they asked. The soldiers, although they are supposed to do a good job (security, looking for peace until supreme sacrifice), are always badly seen by people. But in this gospel, they are welcomed by John. Everybody needs conversion because God wants everyone to be saved. "No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!", answered the Baptist.
Let us observe that John Baptist did not tell anyone to leave his job because it was bad. No. Because even if some people like tax collectors, soldiers were badly considered by the society, John respects their work. The only thing is to do well the work. How do I do my work? Am I satisfied with my wage? Don't I use my position to intimidate or to extort others? What really must I do to be converted so as I rejoice in the Lord always?