Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday: Rejoice in the Lord Always (C)
Today, we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday—the Sunday of joy! The word Gaudete means “rejoice. " Our readings today remind us that true happiness is found in our relationship with God and how we extend that joy to others. This joy is not fleeting or dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in our deep hope in Christ, whose coming we eagerly await.
Our Gospel from Luke continues with John the Baptist, who calls the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. The crowd asks him, “What should we do?” John’s response is practical and profound. He instructs them to share their excess with those in need, to act with integrity, and to be fair and just in their dealings. This is how we prepare our hearts for Christ—not just through personal piety but by living out our faith in tangible acts of love and justice.
John’s message is clear: authentic joy is found in living a life of generosity and integrity. It is not enough to await the coming of the Messiah passively. We are called to actively prepare the way of the Lord by caring for one another, especially those in need. When we give from our abundance, treat others with fairness, and act with honesty—even when others do not—we make visible the kingdom of God and become bearers of joy.
In our first reading, the prophet Zephaniah encourages God’s people to “shout for joy” and “sing joyfully” (cf. Zephaniah 3:14). Writing in a time of uncertainty and upheaval, Zephaniah looks forward to the day when God will dwell among His people as a mighty savior. This vision of joy is not naïve; it acknowledges the hardships of life but points to a deeper reality: that God is with us. In God’s presence, we find true joy that transcends our circumstances and lifts the burdens from our shoulders.
St. Paul echoes this sentiment in his letter to the Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (cf. Philippians 4:4). Paul’s call to joy is not superficial cheerfulness but a deep, abiding peace that comes from a relationship with Christ. He reminds us that we can bring everything to God in prayer, and in return, we receive the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.
This peace and joy are not meant to be kept to ourselves. As John the Baptist teaches, our relationship with God must flow outward into our relationships with others. This time of year, we see many acts of charity and generosity. These acts are a beautiful expression of the joy we have in Christ. But John challenges us to go deeper. True joy comes not just from giving material gifts but from investing ourselves in the well-being of others, building relationships, and working for justice.
We live in a world that often measures joy by material wealth or personal success. But the joy of Advent is different. It is a joy that comes from knowing we are loved by God and from sharing that love with others. It is a joy that does not fade, even in difficult times, because it is rooted in the hope of Christ’s coming.
As we continue our Advent journey, let us ask ourselves: “What should we do?” How can we prepare the way of the Lord in our own lives? How can we share our joy with those around us? Perhaps it means giving from our abundance to those in need. Perhaps it means acting with integrity in our work or treating others with kindness and respect.
In a few short weeks, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of our hope. But today, on Gaudete Sunday, we are reminded that joy is not something we wait for—it is something we live. Let us open our hearts to the joy of the Lord, and let that joy radiate outward in our words and actions. In doing so, we bring near the kingdom of God and prepare the way for Christ to enter our world anew.
Rejoice in the Lord always!
