3rd Sunday of Advent Year A

There was a girl whose father was working abroad. She knew her father loves her as he would always send her gifts whenever there were special occasions. During Christmas, her father would send her whatever toys, chocolates, etc. she requested from him. But one Christmas eve, her mother noticed that the girl was sad though she had many gifts from her father. So she asked the little girl why. The girl replied, “Mom, I don’t need those gifts which daddy bought me for Christmas. All I want now is that he goes home and be with us.”

Today is Gaudete Sunday and we are invited by the Church to rejoice! But what would be our reason to rejoice? For some kids, they rejoice when they receive toys and food. For some adults, they rejoice when they receive their Christmas bonus or they have enough money to buy something for Christmas. But what if there were neither toys nor food to receive this Christmas? What if there were neither Christmas bonuses nor money to buy something this Christmas? Could one still rejoice?

Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 11: 2-11
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

On this third Sunday of Advent, we are not only called to rejoice but also to identify the reason of our rejoicing. John the Baptist was in prison, yet his situation never made him feel bitter or desperate. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He is indeed the messiah. Jesus sent His response to John’s disciples by enumerating all the miracles He did. In so doing, Jesus gave John the reason to rejoice though he was stuck in prison. Likewise, Jesus is our reason to rejoice during this season. Although we may be facing some difficulties and problems right now, these would not hinder us to rejoice because we believe that Jesus is with us. Jesus makes us see that amidst the shadow of our problems, we can still see His light. We can feel His presence and experience His miracles. He gives us then the reason to rejoice. My dear friends, let us find our consolation with Jesus, the God who is always with us.