"WITNESS TO THE LIGHT"

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

(GAUDETE SUNDAY)

Is. 61: 1-2a,10-11; Lk 1:46-48,49-50,53-54; 1 Thes.5: 16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Christmas season is always associated with lights! No wonder, electric bills rise up and fire – related incidents increase every December all because of the many “kumukutikutikap” decorations inside and outside our homes. But have you ever wondered why people put up these multi – colored lights only during Christmas? I have never seen a house decorated with a lantern during Holy Week. I have never been into a birthday party of a friend whose house is adorned with Christmas lights. Why only during this time of the year?

Today, we are now in the Third Sunday of Advent which is also known as Gaudete Sunday! This Sunday invites all of us to rejoice (gaudete) because the long – awaited Messiah is near. In our Gospel, John the Baptist reminds us of the very reason for our rejoicing. We will only come to an experience of the fullness of joy if we become a “witness to the Light.” And who is this Light? Why can he give us the reason to rejoice?

The Prophet Isaiah in our first reading reveals to us the mission of this Light. “He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God.” The same text is quoted by Jesus himself in his inaugural speech at the synagogue before commencing his Galilean ministry. (see Luke 4:18 - 19)  This Light witnessed by John is Jesus Christ. Like the sun which gives light to every living being on earth, Jesus, the primordial Light, gives us life through glad tidings, healing to the ill, liberty to the oppressed, and favor from the Lord. Hence, we rejoice not only for the coming of Jesus but because such coming signals the beginning of new life, new opportunities, new grace.

Since our mission is to become a “witness to the Light” so that we can attain joy, how then are we to carry out such call? The Apostle Paul in our second reading today gives us practical suggestions on how to become a “witness to the Light.” “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks! Do not quench the Spirit. Retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil! “Simply said, to be a witness means to continue the life and mission of Jesus, the Light, here on earth. Isaiah has already revealed to us the task of the Light. Jesus himself claimed such prophecy fulfilled in his person. As witnesses and followers of the Light, it is then our mission to continue what He has begun by rejoicing always, by praying without ceasing, by thanking in all circumstances, by retaining good and refraining from evil because “this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Like light which expels darkness, may our lives brighten those living in the darkness of sin. May our lives lighten the burden of those oppressed by the evil structures of society. May those who are poor because of poverty or sin, look at Jesus, through the light of our lives.

One of the main reasons why people put up Christmas lights and lanterns only during this time of the year is because it has been part of tradition that these decorations are only for Christmas. Thus, these lights while looking at them “singing and blinking” can only give us fleeting joy. When it is out of season, we remove them. However, the Light of Christ is lasting. It cannot be extinguished whether in and out of season because He is eternal. And only when we are able to “witness to the Light” can we re-echo the words of our psalmist today, “My soul rejoices in my God.” Amen!

* PHOTO TAKEN FROM GOOGLE.COM  (DESKTOPWALLPAPERS4.ME)