The joy of the Lord is my strength

Ish 61:1-2.10-11, 2 Thess. 5:16-22, Jn 1:6-8.19-28. On this Third Sunday of Advent also known as Gaudete Sunday Year B, the Church breaks the sobriety/Solemnity of Advent season to remind us that true joy and happiness is to be found only in God. In today's first reading, Isaiah busts out in joy, reminding us that God is the source of our joy: “The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me to…” The Spirit of the Lord can best be described as the spirit of freedom, epitomised in Christ. The Spirit of the Lord makes us happy at all times, praying constantly and for all things, giving thanks.

Hence, today's second reading urges us: "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:16-18). It is really our vocation to “rejoice always.” How can we rejoice always at trouble moment? When we put our trust and hope in God, even in difficult times when there is a storm at the surface, we can “rejoice always” deep within. To rejoice, we must also be humble for the greatest mark of a joyful life is humility. John the Baptist kept on saying in today’s Gospel: "I am not the Christ… I am unworthy to untie his sandals." A true believer attracts people to Christ not to themselves. The Gospel is not a commercial business where one struggles to maintain customers but a vocation where we do not tell people what they want to hear but what they need to hear. Only the spirit of the Lord brings sincere repentance in our hearts. The fake one will give false promises of prosperity and negative messages about obstacles to our experience of material prosperity. This unfortunately, is the spirit operating in many Christian gatherings today.

May the Lord renew our strength as we wait upon Him and may our hope not fail us as we find our joy in God! Amen!! Stay safe and save life, happy Sunday!!!