Joy at Knowing and Loving God!

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Third Sunday of Advent

Is 61:1-2,10-11; 1 Thess 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8;19-28

We light the ‘joy’ candle as we are celebrating the third Sunday of Advent. The readings of the day proclaim joy at God’s coming. 

The first reading highlights the prophet’s identity and mission. That ‘Isaiah’s vocation is ordained for mission’ is what we must note. Vocation and mission are interconnected, and one cannot be separated from the other. Isaiah’s mission manifesto becomes Jesus’ in the New Testament. As such, the mission of the Messiah is one of healing, forgiveness, liberation, and redemption. In the second part of the first reading, we find God’s covenantal fidelity in action. Words like ‘clothing,’ ‘wrapping,’ ‘adorning,’ and ‘decorating’ manifest God’s gracious kindness toward His people that arises out of his covenantal commitment. Through metaphors of earth and garden, where life and growth are experienced respectively, the prophet suggests God’s way of bringing justice to the world. Except for making sure of a conducive environment for it to happen, we cannot claim credit for what happens in nature. It is God’s doing. The prophet’s discovery of his missional responsibility and God’s vindication are reasons for joy in the first reading. 

Three points deserve our attention in the second reading. At first, the popular misinterpretation that ‘we are called to give thanks for all circumstances’ has to be cleared. We must note that we are called to give thanks to God ‘in’ all circumstances and not ‘for’ all circumstances. We do not thank the Lord for the loss, pain, and misery in our lives. But we thank God for guiding us through the misfortunes of life. Secondly, Paul insists on human agency in faith. As Christians, we are not blindly following Jesus; but we reason out. As such, the ability to discern is underlined here. Words like ‘test,’ ‘retain,’ and ‘refrain’ indicate a process of self-examination, discernment, and discipline. A life of holiness is born out of deliberation and commitment. Thirdly, Paul reassures the readers that God, who gave the gift of vocation, will also bring it to fruition. As such, though the individual agency is highlighted, the ultimate stress falls on God’s faithfulness. The gift of vocation is enriched by our discernment and commitment. As we await the Lord’s coming, our joy lies in conducting our lives in holiness and blamelessness.

The Gospel is about the identity of John the Baptist and Jesus. However, the Pharisees, Levites, and priests do not perceive it. 

They don’t know John. From the way they enquire John about his identity, it is clear that they do not know John despite seeing his life and mission. In many ways, John resembled the prophet Elijah. Still, that does not help them grasp his identity. John claims repeatedly that he is the forerunner of the Messiah. The passage clearly presents that John was ‘sent’ from God to be the ‘forerunner’ of the Messiah and to ‘testify’ to the light. Despite all this, they cannot understand the truth. 

They do not know Jesus. John leads them to the identity of the Messiah. But still, they do not perceive it. By confessing his unworthiness, John proclaims the greatness of Jesus. But they remain closed, prejudiced, and stubborn, refusing to see the truth. That is why John says, ‘There is one among you whom you do not recognize.’ They ‘prefer’ to live in ignorance about the truth of deliverance!

There is a place in which all those who enquire about John’s identity are identified as ‘Jews’ (a name given by Gentiles) and not anymore as ‘Israel’ (the name given by God for His people) because they reject the Messiah. This is the consequence of ignoring the Good News, though it was at their doorsteps.

If they had known Jesus, they would have loved him. But their ignorance becomes their curse.

Proverbs 9:10 reads, ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’ Real knowing and understanding results in love. We cannot but love God when we know Him. Let us not miss the blessing of knowing the Lord in order to love Him.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar