Homily 3rd Sunday Advent
December 11, 2022
Franklin Fong, OFM
Violet is the usual color of the Advent season, but today we wear rose colored vestments. We light the third candle in the advent wreath which is rose colored. The less somber color highlights the fact that this is “REJOICE” Sunday. In Latin this is called GAUDATE Sunday.
In the first reading from Isaiah we hear of how the desert land is rejoicing in blooms and abundant flowers at seeing the glory of the Lord!
The subtle difference between happiness and joy is pointed out in the second reading from the letter of St James. In this reading we are encouraged to be patient like the farmer is patient to wait for the crops he has planted to mature and to yield harvestable fruit. So the contrast herein being happy is that happiness is experienced more of less where and when you would expect it, in the harvest of a crop, in a good marriage, a rewarding job, a pleasant vacation.
Joy in contrast is always unpredictable. It comes as a surprise. We speak of a joyous event. “What a joy to run into you here!” Or whenever I see the little children jumping for joy and laughing so freely at our gathering here!
In the Gospel of Matthew verses we heard today, we hear of how Jesus tells John the Baptist’s disciples about the blind who now see, the lame who now walk, the lepers who are cured, the deaf who now hear, and the dead who are raised! These all examples of the unexpected joy experienced by the people who meet Jesus. They all experienced joy upon meeting and learning about God from Jesus.
So, we now see how Jesus offers healing for all our handicaps, courage in our weakness. Jesus promises an endless life and a message of good news for us who admit our poverty and limitations.
In summary, Jesus fulfills what Isaiah promises in the first reading hope in a glorious future and strength along the way. In the second reading, we have the best reasons to be patient now and to expect the fulfillment of our desires. And from the Gospel reading, may we not be scandalized and lose faith because of God’s mysterious ways!
So let us not forget then the reminders of the Advent Candles we have lit so far: Hope, Faith, Joy Prophet’s Bethlehem, Shepherds
We have the hope that was shown by the Prophets like Isaiah!
We have the faith which was shown by those born in Bethlehem like King David;
And we have the joy that was shown by the shepherds when the Angels appeared to them!
Again and again let us commit ourselves to the path that Jesus provides through suffering sin and death, to fulness of life with God.
So, to review once again, you can now better appreciate the significance of these first three advent candles: The first Candle we lit 2 weeks ago is called the PROPHECY Candle and it represents hope. The second candle we last week is called the BETHLEHEM candle and represents peace and preparation. Today’s candle is called SHEPHERD’s candle and represents joy.
Take some time in the coming days to reflect on when were those moments of happiness in this past year? And then reflect on when were those moments of Joy in this past year? Can you now see the differences between happiness and joy in your faith journey?
Brothers and Sisters of the Chinese Catholic Community,
that is the good news for this 3rd Sunday of Advent.
Alleluia Alleluia !
(中文翻譯.原文以英文為準.)
鄺神父主日道理中譯本
禮儀年甲年將臨期第三主日講道 2022 年 12 月 11 日
讀經一: 依撒意亞先知書 35:1-6a, 10
讀經二: 聖雅各伯書 5:7-10
瑪竇福音 11:2-11
將臨期第三主日講道
紫羅蘭色是將臨期的常用顏色,但今天我們穿玫瑰色的祭衣。我們點燃了玫瑰色的將臨期花圈中的第三支蠟燭。不那麼陰沉的顏色突出了一個事實,即這是“喜樂REJOICE”主日。在拉丁語中,這稱為 GAUDATE 主日。
在依撒意亞先知書的第一篇讀經中,我們聽到沙漠土地如何因看到主的榮耀而欣喜若狂!
聖雅各伯書的讀經二指出快樂與喜悅之間的細微差別。在這篇讀經中,我們被鼓勵要有耐心,就像農夫耐心等待他種下的莊稼成熟並結出可收割的果實一樣。因此,這裡與快樂的對比是,快樂是在你期望的時間和地點體驗到的,比如收穫莊稼、美滿的婚姻、一份有回報的工作、一個愉快的假期。
相比之下,喜悅總是難以預料的。這是一個驚喜。我們談到一件喜事。 “在這裡遇到你真是太高興了!”或者每當我看到小孩子們在我們的聚會上歡呼雀躍、放聲大笑!
在我們今天聽到的瑪竇福音經文中,我們聽到耶穌如何告訴洗者約翰的門徒關於瞎子現在能看見、瘸子能走路、麻風病人痊癒、聾子能聽見以及死人復活!這些都是遇見耶穌的人所經歷的意外喜樂的例子。他們在遇見耶穌並從耶穌那裡了解天主後都感到快樂。
所以,我們現在看到耶穌如何為我們所有的障礙提供醫治,為我們的軟弱提供勇氣。耶穌為我們這些承認自己貧窮和局限的人應許了無盡的生命和好消息。
總而言之,耶穌實現了依撒意亞先知書在讀經一中所應許的,希望有光榮的未來和一路走來的力量。在讀經二中,我們有最好的理由在現時保持耐心,並期待我們的願望實現。而從福音閱讀中,願我們不因天主神秘的方式而感到震驚和失去信德!
因此,讓我們不要忘記迄今為止我們點燃的將臨期蠟燭的提醒:希望、信德、歡樂, 先知的白冷、牧羊人。
我們有像依撒意亞這樣的先知所顯示的希望!
我們擁有像達味王一樣出生在白冷的人所表現出的信德;
當天使向牧羊人顯現時,我們看到了牧羊人所表現出的喜悅!
讓我們一次又一次地委身於耶穌所提供的道路,通過忍受罪惡和死亡,與天主同享生命的圓滿。
因此,再次回顧一下,您現在可以更好地理解這最先三支將臨期蠟燭的意義:我們在兩週前點燃的第一支蠟燭被稱為"先知PROPHECY"蠟燭,它代表著希望。我們上週的第二根蠟燭被稱為"白冷BETHLEHEM"蠟燭,代表和平與準備。
今天的蠟燭被稱為"牧人SHEPHERD"的蠟燭,代表快樂。
在接下來的日子里花點時間回想一下過去一年裡那些幸福的時刻是什麼時候?然後回想過去一年裡那些快樂的時刻是什麼時候?你現在能看出信仰之旅中幸福和快樂的區別嗎?
華人天主教團體的兄弟姐妹們, 這是將臨期第三主日的好消息。
阿肋路亞,阿肋路亞!
