This weekend we celebrate the third Sunday in Advent. One of the few times of the year that we see a unique color used in the liturgy, namely rose.
Rose is used only twice a year in the Church’s liturgical calendar, Gaudete Sunday in Advent and Laetare Sunday in Lent. Both times we are told to rejoice and have patience. Rejoice because we have been promised great things from our heavenly Father and we see that these things are nearby. In this case, the birth of Christ at Christmas and Christ’s second coming at the end of time. We see them near, and we rejoice.
These events are promised to us by God to be accompanied by many signs and wonders. We have been hearing about these signs and wonders for many weeks, but this week we are given very specific signs. Signs of reversal.
“The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom … Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication.”
Reversal: a change from what was to its opposite. At the coming of Christ, he will reverse many things of this world, all the way from healing the corruption of the natural world (deserts blooming with flowers) to correcting the corruption of the institutional world (the mighty being cast down from their thrones and lifting up the lowly.) However, the greatest sign of reversal at the coming of Christ is the reversal that happens in the hearts of people. Only he can truly reverse the directions and tendencies of our hearts way from evil toward what is good, what is of God. So, when we see this reversal take place in our world and in our hearts, we rejoice, for they are a sign of the coming of Christ.
However, we are also told this week to have patience. Paul talks about how the coming of the Lord is near, but not here yet. He says that we must be like farmers who know the harvest is coming soon but cannot harvest yet. He is filled with anticipation, nervous energy, and joy, but he must wait. But this time of waiting is not idle. Whether it is waiting for Christmas, for the end of time, or for our own salvation, this time is meant to be fruitful. We are to spend it learning to live in hope. This hope is not simply wishful thinking or trying our best for whatever goals. Hope means to live now as though we already possess the divine gifts we have been promised by God. Living here and now, like we are already in heaven. This is hope. God has promised many great things, like eternal life, happiness, and love to those who follow him here and now. We already have these gifts partially. But living in hope means living with the joy of knowing we have been promised these things and living like we already possess them fully. This is only possible when we have patience.
Rejoice because Christ is coming. We see his signs in the changing of this world and of our hearts. Have patience because he has not yet come — but live in hope and rejoice.
Father Gifford is pastor of St. Peter Claver in St. Paul.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Third Sunday of Advent
