Third (Gaudate) Sunday of Advent

Lectionary: 7

Be patient, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.

From the little I know of history, democracies and consumers are remarkably impatient. They might do well enough when the future is clear and destinations are in sight; but, those purposes achieved, their future becomes less clear; and for that reason their goals, less attainable. The United States built a powerful nation with a confident belief in Manifest Destiny; and even when the economy collapsed during the Great Depression, they recovered and then survived World War II as the most powerful nation on earth.

The future looked good as they sought to initiate the entire world and every society into capitalistic democracy. Unfortunately, there were a host of false assumptions in that package: the Earth cannot provide infinite resources for an insatiable human race; not everyone wants equality with the poorest of the poor; and sin in a million forms persistently sabotages even the most noble projects. The Lord's announcement of the coming Kingdom of God has never gone down well with consumer capitalists who want what they want when they want it. They might ask, "What sacrifices will I have to make? How much will it cost?” And, "If God’s kingdom is coming, why isn't it here already?” The Church, the Gospel, and the Lord disturb our contented, capitalistic mediocrity. We should want more. We should want peace, prosperity, and security not only for ourselves and all nations; but also for our children and grandchildren into infinity and beyond! The Gospel, the Lord, and the Catholic Church teach us patience; and remind us that the Kingdom of God is not of this world, and will never be seen in this world. Nothing on this side of death will ever satisfy us. Our desires are endless; our hunger, insatiable; our restlessness is perpetual; and nothing that we build lasts very long. The Season of Advent teaches us to wait on the Lord. It reminds us of our sins and offers hope for God’s mercy; and Guadate Sunday reminds us to rejoice in the Lord. As Saint Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Everyone should see how generous you are.” The word gaudete is an imperative Latin word meaning, “Rejoice!” It is a command and expects our ready, eager compliance. We should do as we’re told because the virtue of hope without joy is a sham; it is not the real thing. Those who complain all the time, who always want and expect better, who are never satisfied with good enough because their dreams are neither realized nor realistic: know nothing of hope. Hope sees the future with neither the eyes of the mind nor the imagination, but with the heart. We know in our hearts that the Lord will restore justice when mercy governs everything we do. We cannot even imagine a government that is both just and merciful. If we were to create such a world it would have no people; for people are sinful, and neither just nor merciful. When God reigns over the nations and in our hearts, we will know what justice and mercy look like. We will enjoy peace, prosperity, and security, with opportunity for everyone to contribute generously to the wellbeing of everyone else. On that day every race and language, every nation, tribe, and ethnic group; and women as well as men, will receive the dignity and respect they deserve as children of God. We will say to strangers, “Welcome to this country!” in one breath; and with the next breath, “I too have just arrived!” That is our hope and because God has promised it we have no doubt. We take God at his word and rejoice because it will certainly happen. When the magi left Jerusalem, Saint Matthew says, “...they were overjoyed at seeing the star!” They knew they were on the right track again; and that they would find the Child in Bethlehem. Gaudete Sunday is our star; it assures us that God’s word is eternal and our hope is not in vain. We are on the right track .We can rejoice like the magi. When the risen Lord appeared and showed his disciples the fatal wounds on his hands and feet, Saint John says, “The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” They saw the Kingdom of God in his risen body; and we see it in the Eucharistic body of Christ. In a time of persecution Saint Peter reassured the anxious and insecure when he wrote,

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now you believe in him, and you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls.

We are Catholics in a capitalist society but we should not be consumers who expect to get what they want when they want it. Happiness that comes only when we get what we want is not worth the trouble. Disciples of Jesus enjoy even now, and in this world, the promise that God has given us. That hope assures our hearts and teaches us how to please God. That is a joy which surpasses understanding, and a peace the world cannot give.

We have heard today the encouragement of Saint James,

Be patient, brothers and sisters,

until the coming of the Lord.

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,

being patient with it

until it receives the early and the late rains.

You too must be patient.