The Coming of Jesus Enables Us to Rejoice
Psalm 146:5–8; Antiphon, Philippians 4:4—On this Gaudete (‘Rejoice’) Sunday, the
antiphon urges us to Rejoice in the Lord always! We rejoice because the Lord has set the prisoners free, even we who are in
bondage to the lusts of our fallen flesh. We rejoice because He opens the
eyes of the blind, even we who are blinded by sin. We rejoice because He lifts up
those who are bowed down, even we who are bowed down by our guilt. We rejoice because the Lord loves the righteous, even we who are
righteous, not by our deeds, but by our faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior of
mankind.
The Third Sunday in Advent has traditionally been called by
the Latin word, Gaudete, meaning ‘Rejoice!’ For as you are called to
repentance, so also are you urged to rejoice in the coming of the Lord Jesus
Christ. By His own Cross, He has accomplished salvation for you; He has
cleared away your enemies, taken away the judgments against you, and
has come to reign in your midst. Indeed, He rejoices over you with gladness! (Zeph. 3:15–17).
Therefore, even from prison St. Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord
always, knowing that the peace of God will guard and keep us in Christ
Jesus (Phil. 4:4,
7). We
find an example and encouragement in the case of John the Baptizer. As he
languishes in prison, he calls upon Jesus and is strengthened by the Word of
the Gospel that he receives. The same good news is preached to you, by which
all things are made new and even the dead are raised up (Luke 7:22). Do not be
offended by the cross, therefore, but let your life be one of prayer and
thanksgiving (Luke
7:23; Phil
4:6).
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