“What then should we do?” (Lk 3:10).
This was the question asked by the people of different professions after listening to John the Baptist’s call for repentance and change. John’s response to these queries were straightforward, he asked them to be morally good – avoid injustice, stop oppressing others and share whatever extra with the needy. These are the attitudes that every Christian should put on as one awaits the coming of Christ. These are the attitudes of a person who has experienced the real joy in Christ.
For Jesus, the true joy is an expression of total dependence on God. Later Jesus will demand more from His disciples. “To anyone who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic” (Lk 6: 29). Joy is a part of realizing that we are all children of God and created by God with utmost love. Joy is also an outcome of totally giving oneself for God and for the good of each other.
Today’s liturgy is a call for this unending joy. How can we be joyful when the grounds under our feet are shifting? We are divided into a thousand different groups. Immorality is not only promoted but accepted as the right way of living. People are indoctrinated to accept and support evil ways and cancel out the Word of God and all who believe in it.
The first reading is from the prophet Zephaniah. He was living when corruption and immorality was at its peak in Jerusalem. Kings, priests, judges, officials, and all the elite of the society were corrupt; people had abandoned the faith and the poor were exploited. What is the prophet’s response? He starts by prophesizing the day of darkness and reckoning (Zeph 1:15-16). Then suddenly, he calls the faithful to rejoice because their faithfulness will be rewarded.
God does not hate people, He hates sin. God gives plenty of opportunity for His people to repent and come back to Him. This is the reason for rejoicing. Advent is all about looking forward for that time of God’s grace where He gives us an opportunity to get back to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Zephaniah knew well that in those darkest moments of our lives, God’s love prevails.
–Father Ranjan D’Sa OCD