Happy Sunday everyone! You know, today I am supposed to celebrate Mass with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, but I have...
What makes you happy? What brings you joy in life? Few years back, I posted these same questions on Facebook and many responded. Most of the responses state that what makes them happy are the people around them – friends, loved ones, companions. Someone is there for them, someone makes them happy, someone is there to give them joy.
I’d like you to remember the persons that makes you happy. They might be here, or they might be in your respective countries. But just remember them. Isn’t it that just the thought of them, it brings out the smile in us, it changes our face – from frowning to a happy face? When you are unhappy and sad, you also make others unhappy and sad. When we are unhappy it makes us ugly. I am pretty sure, problems will always be there in every day of our lives, while we are far from home and in the families wherever they may be. I’d like you to look at the one beside you, I want you to tap on his / shoulder and tell him or her, don’t worry, be happy, don’t worry much, be patient, be joyful and endure.
Today my dear friends we are celebrating the third Sunday of Advent, the so-called Gaudete Sunday or the Sunday of Joy. It’s not yet Christmas and it is still preparation time, but it doesn’t stop us from feeling happy and joyful because what we are waiting for is almost near.
Our readings today tell us of what to do while waiting: BE PATIENT, ENDURE, BE FAITHFUL, BE HAPPY. The first reading shows God’s coming to vindicate, to save his people after their exile. He comes to save with divine recompense. And while he comes, one should be strong, be not afraid, be patient. The indications that he has come, miracles happen: the deaf hears, the blind sees, the lame walks, the mute speaks. Who among you will not be happy if you are deaf and you can hear already? Who among you will not be happy if you are lame and suddenly you can walk already? Who among you will not be happy if you had been problematizing of something and now you have the solution, you’re free, you attain money, you get the peace of mind and heart needed?
When problem comes, it teaches us, BE PATIENT. And not only to be patient but also to ENDURE. It is not just to endure the hardships, the many hours, days, months, years of living a hard life, it is also to endure others along the way. We are told to stop complaining about each other. Coz sometimes, we love to complain, we don’t see that others are complaining also about us. The farmers and the prophets mentioned in the second reading are our models of patience and endurance. They are not just models in the time of St James, they are also our models. God will reward our faith and our patience if we are prepared to wait and endure hardships. And while waiting and enduring, we must live in harmony with each other. Isn’t it that the community is happy when there is harmony? You don’t find happiness in a group of people who are divided, fighting each other, judging and condemning each other. Let us stop complaining about our life and our ugly neighbor.
John the Baptist, as we heard in the Gospel, was in prison. He was preoccupied about the messiah if indeed it was Jesus, of whom he has joyfully proclaimed to be the one to come, prepared the path he has to take. Despite being in prison, he is happy that the messiah has come. Proof: the blind regains their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
Whatever you are so preoccupied today, my dear friends, believe me, be patient, do not worry, and be happy. BE FAITHFUL and BE HAPPY. May you have a blessed Sunday and may Jesus continually be present in you and in your community.
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