The third Sunday of Advent is called "Rejoice Sunday". Traditionally it was a time for relaxing the Advent discipline of fasting and abstinence and allowed the faithful to enjoy special pastries prepared specifically for that day. Today, however, only the theme of joy deriving from the first and second readings remain. The gospel reading however is a sober reminder that the day's call for rejoicing is more due to the nearness of the Lord than for any reason. The third Sunday is like the third watch of the night when the cock begins to crow to announce the nearness of dawn. The Baptist is like the cock who crows and announces the need for bearing fruits of repentance.
Read the relevant articles here and use the following as your guide for reflection.
1. God's grace is offered to all, but it does not come cheap. The grace of salvation is given, but only those who will accept it and allow it to bear fruit in one's life is the sign that such a grace has been received.
Reflect: One of the fruits that we ought to cultivate during the time of Advent is a stronger desire for Christ and His Coming. Do you see yourself as one of the crowds who go to the Baptist wishing to see the Messiah? Do you see yourself as one of those who ask "What should I do?"
2. John the Baptist announces the Messiah as the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. You are one of those who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and has been privileged to live between the time of the first coming and the time of the final coming of Christ.
Reflect: What applied to those who received the baptism of John applies more to us who have received the Holy Spirit. It is not enough to be called the "heirs of Abraham" or "the new Israel", one must also show the fruits of one's new status as "God's children". If you review your life as a Christian now, would you say that you are any better than the rich, the publicans and the soldiers that went to John for baptism? If the Baptist would appear now, would he declare you "blessed" for having received the Holy Spirit?
3. The image of judgment that the Baptist presents is similar to one of the parables given by the Lord about the unfruitful tree
A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. "And he said to the vineyard-keeper, 'Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?'"And he answered and said to him, 'Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.' (Luke 13:6-9 )
The Lord is patient and gives us time to bear fruit.
Reflect: When the Lord came the first time, it was not to fulfill the prophecy of the Baptist. His attitude was more like the vineyard-keeper who asks for more time. When he comes for the last time, however, it will be as the Baptist foretold. We prepare for the second Coming of the Lord with the warning of the Baptist in mind. Are you prepared to meet your Lord? What fruits will you show him? (see also the Lord's attitude to barren fig tree and what he does to it in Matthew 21:18-19)
