Homily - Third Sunday of Advent

3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18

We celebrated the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe last Thursday. And if you are not familiar with the full story of this apparition of Our Lady, I do recommend reading up on the treasure of our faith that those nearly 500-year-old events are to us. By way of a very brief summary, after a period of unsuccessful missionary efforts to spread the faith in the Central part of the Americas, Mother Mary appeared to a humble, un-expecting convert, Juan Diego. He was told by Our Blessed Mother to go to the bishop to request a church be built on Tepeyac Hill, just outside of present-day Mexico City. Understandably, the bishop did not at first believe the humble laborer and he asked him for a sign. And Mary delivered.

Skipping over many details regarding the sign, there are two that I want to focus on this Gaudete or Joyful Sunday, First, Our Blessed Mother told Juan Diego to go to the top of Tepeyac Hill; there he found roses that Mary told him to take to the bishop. Well, this may not sound like much, but this was December, the ground was covered with frost, and these roses were not indigenous to this region of Mexico, but rather to the place the bishop had come from in Spain. Secondly, Mary arranged the roses on Juan Diego’s tilma to take to the bishop. A tilma is sort of like a mix between a tool belt and an apron. And it was upon this working apparel for daily use that the miraculous roses were carried and that the heavenly image of Our Lady of Guadalupe still rests, many years later, in the Basilica that bears her name in Mexico City.

I share this story today not only because of the providential timing of this Feast close to the Third Sunday of Advent, but because the way in which this influential miracle took place is right in line with St. John the Baptist’s response to the questions from different groups in the Gospel of “What should we do?” Of the many  ways the Blessed Mother could have proven herself to the bishop, she chose a humble, working man and his humble, working attire, to impress not only the bishop, but the whole world.

St. John the Baptist does not tell those who question him today to do anything extraordinary. He does not demand that they leave the world, move to the wilderness, and live off locusts and honey. Rather, he tells them to be virtuous, right where they are. Tax collectors — don’t take more than you should. Soldiers — don’t be bullies, be honest, and thankful. The rest of us — don’t be greedy and share what you have. None of this is rocket science, but it doesn’t mean that it’s easy.

Last week, the Baptist called us to repentance; now that we have repented, and hopefully gone to Confession and been forgiven of the sins that separate us from God and one another, the question to reflect on now is that of the crowds: “What should we do?”

Understanding that Our Blessed Mother used St. Juan Diego’s tilma, an apron/tool belt, as a sign, so let us use our day-to-day items to act as a sign to bring and radiate joy to the world. Remember those roses weren’t supposed to grow through the frost? We too are called upon to break through the frost especially in today’s polarized society.

In simple terms, John the Batist tell his listeners and all of us; “Don’t do bad things”. The “things” he’s telling them to avoid are things that everyone already knows.

·       share your extra stuff.

·       give some food to someone who has none.

·       Don’t cheat anyone and don’t practice extortion.

·       don’t lie and don’t get greedy

My dear friends, we know what is “right” by what we have been taught by our parents, teachers and friends. We know what is “right” by seeing similarities in the moral teachings of many faith traditions throughout human history. We know what is “right” by what our Church teaches and urges us to live out. Most importantly we know what is “right” by that voice within each of us, our conscience --- that whisper of truth striving to inform our every word and action.

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Today, St Paul tells to make our kindness known to all, and the Baptist urges us to seek real joy, but we have to begin with moral integrity. That will bring joy to God and neighbor — and even to us! In what ways are your prepared to spread joy in your family, at your workplace or school and in your neighborhood?

Happy Gaudete Sunday!