This 3rd Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice) Latin translation of Phil 4:4-5. The first, second readings and the Psalm all speak of joy, gladness and praise. “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel…Be glad and exult with all your heart, the Lord …has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear,…fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged… The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty Savior; He will sing joyfully because of you...”

Dear beloved in Christ Jesus, as we enter more deeply into our Advent journey, the prophet of the Lord, Baruch invites us all to make low the mountain and fill up the emptiness in our lives. In the words of the Prophet, “For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground.”

Beloved in Christ, today mother church invites all to embark on the sacred journey of Advent. Advent is a holy season when we undertake spiritual preparation in anticipation of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his first coming.

On this last Sunday of ordinary time/liturgical year, we mark the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ. All our readings testify to his universal kingship that has no end. Daniel said in his vision, “…Son of man received dominion, glory and kingship…His dominion is an everlasting dominion, …his kingship shall not be destroyed.” It’s an everlasting one.

Dear brothers and sisters, our readings for this Sunday focus on the end time, the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The prophet Daniel in the first reading said: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”

In our first and gospel readings, we hear inspiring stories of two widows. In the midst of famine, Elijah met the widow of Zarephath, he instructed her to give him water and a little cake but she replied, there is only a handful of flour and a little oil… to go in and prepare… for myself and my son.” Elijah told her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose…” She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year together with her son, the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Today is being observed across the Diocese as Vocation Sunday. We are encouraged to talk or preach about vocation, to priestly, diaconate and religious life.

In our first reading, Jeremiah the servant of the Lord, offers to the people of Israel, a message of comfort, consolation and restoration. In his words: “For thus says the LORD; shout for joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The Lord has delivered his people…Behold, I will bring them back…I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst.”

The themes of Jesus’ Passion and his title as a servant run through our readings of this Sunday. In our first reading the Prophet Isaiah tells us that God was pleased to crush him (Jesus) in infirmity/with suffering. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he will bring long life/salvation and the will of the Lord will be accomplished in him. Through his suffering, obedience, my servant will bring divine light and justification to many.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes prayer as, “…the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or requesting of good things from God (St. John Damascene), …humility is the foundation of prayer” CCC 2559. The Church teaches us also that it’s the heart that prays. If our heart is far from God, the words of prayer are in vain, CCC 2562. The author of the book of Wisdom requested for what is good, Wisdom. He prayed and prudence was given to him. He pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to him.

Today, the church invites us to reflect on the sacred institution of Marriage. The book of Genesis 2:18-24 gives us an account of the establishment of marriage. “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” It is very clear here that God founded, created and established marriage and not man. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this shall be called ‘woman,’…That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.”

The Lord, working in the midst of the people of Israel, bestowed some of the spirit of Moses on seventy elders which was further extended to two more elders who were not present at the time. In the words of the author of the book of Numbers: “Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, he bestowed it on the seventy elders….” These elders were given some of the spirit of Moses, …that they may share the burden of the people with you (Moses). You will then not have to bear it by yourself.

According to our first reading from the book of Wisdom, the just one is confronted with many trials because of his fidelity to God. The just one is accused of setting himself against the doings of the wicked, reproaches them for the transgressions of the law, and charges them for violations of their training. The wicked one decided to inflict the just one with torture, condemn him to a shameful death and wait to see if God will save or deliver him.

For the second week, we are reading from the prophecy of Isaiah. Today we read from one of his messianic prophecies. In other words, his prophecy today is about Jesus Christ. He declared: “The Lord God opens my ear that I may hear: and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me…my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced”. This text is usually read during the Stations of the Cross at Lenten season. Jesus went through this experience of suffering and persecution on Good Friday for our salvation. Jesus speaks of this in the gospel of today.

Some people leave in fear for different reasons. Some are afraid of the future especially with regard to their financial security, lack of job or loss of job position. Some are afraid because of existing health conditions or a new diagnosis, family dynamics, delay in getting a life partner, delay in pregnancy after marriage and many other reasons. While these reasons may be legitimate reasons to be concerned in life, we are nevertheless encouraged today by Isaiah, the prophet of the Lord: “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes…to save you.” It’s instructive to hear Isaiah remind us that God is here. God is always here with us. In fact, he is closest to us when we face any of the above problems. All we need to do is to bring whatever is troubling us to the Lord in prayer. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened.

We hear the word of God in different ways and at different times. When we attend Holy Mass either on Sunday or weekdays, we hear at least three readings, first reading, the Psalm and the gospel. We hear the word of God when we read it at home, maybe during family prayer. We also read or hear the word of God during Bible studies. I have attended Bible studies with two different men’s groups since my arrival here. This is encouraging to have different groups setting aside their precious time to read, study and grow in their knowledge and understanding of the sacred word of the Lord. I would like to encourage more people to create time to read, study and pray.

Joshua the servant of the Lord gathered the people of Israel, elders and leaders and urged them saying, “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely… if it does not, please you to serve the Lord decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Sometimes when we eat food, we make comments like the food is great, rich or delicious. The scriptural readings for our liturgy today are indeed very rich. They have so much to teach us.

Today is the 19th Sunday of ordinary time. Our first reading tells us about the journey of Elijah the servant of God. He went a day’s journey in the desert. He prayed for death saying, “This is enough, O Lord! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” What is happening here with the great servant of the Lord. Elijah? Elijah has just finished his battle with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Jezebel wanted to kill him and he is running for his life. Exhausted in his flight, he cried to God. He poured out his heart to the Lord. How do we pray? Like Elijah, let's tell the Lord the truth and not try to pretend. God knows the depth of our hearts. If you need his mercy, tell him the truth of your sin, if you need his favor or special need, tell him. But do so in faith and trust.

“The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and by Aaron…Would that we had died at the Lord’s hand…we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread!” The people of Israel complained against Moses the servant of God that they had no food to eat and would prefer their condition in Egypt.