A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara A. Gawle

No. 6  Third Sunday of Advent

Zephaniah 3:14-18, Philippians 4:4-7
Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 3:10-18
 

In today's readings for “Gaudete” (Rejoice) Sunday, both the prophet Zephaniah and St. Paul are offering reassurance to communities facing fear and anxiety. The people of sixth century BC in Judah, under threat of a brutal invasion by the cruel Assyrians, are urged to find security by returning to the Lord and reforming their lives. Likewise, Paul’s Christians at Philippi are instructed to dismiss their anxieties,  anxious division between two different church leaders in their community. Paul urges these Christians to approach the Lord in confidence, prayerful thanksgiving, and to strive for unity.

In the Gospel of Luke, John the Baptist’s audience is also filled with fearful expectation as John describes, rather dramatically, the everlasting consequences of living a sinful life. "What should we do?" they ask John.

For each of these groups of people living in fear, the biblical writers extend the promise of the peace and security that comes when the Lord is with us. And so they (and we) are moved from reassurance to rejoicing because the powers feared are nothing in the face of the coming of our Lord. And so, the reading response by the prophet Isaiah urges: “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among us is the great and holy One of Israel!”

We await the coming of Christ this Advent, but already rejoice with the Lord who is in our midst!  The Lord is near indeed!

The Bible is a living Book opening us to the beating heart of God.