The message of joy for all who lost reason to rejoice.
Third Sunday of Advent - Year B
Isaiah 61, 1-2a.10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5,16-24; John 1,6-8.19-28
When an Israelite farmer lost his land and was forced into servitude, he could regain his land upon the declaration of the Jubilee Year - the fiftieth year (see Lev. 25:10). But what happens when the entire nation loses its land? In 586 BC, Israel lost its land and was forced into exile. Fifty years later, after the edict of Cyrus (538 BC), they could return and regain their land. Filled with joy, Isaiah announced this year of grace: the promised land shall flourish again. “They shall rebuild the ancient ruins, raise up the desolations of old, renew the ruined cities, places devastated for generations” (Is. 61:4).
In Jesus' time, the nation of Israel once again lost their independence and suffered under the oppressive yoke of the Roman Empire. The message and action of John the Baptist awakened the hope of liberation. Like Moses, John led the people out into the desert; like Joshua, he baptised them in the waters of the Jordan; like the prophets, he called them to conversion. The nation had not experienced such a thing for almost 500 years because with the death of the last three prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi - God 'went silent'.
For the motto of his mission, John chose a quote from Isaiah, which we heard on the previous Sunday of Advent: "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord'" (John 1:23; see Mark 1:2-3). He did not see himself in any of the roles ‘assigned’ to him by the crowds, whether the messiah or Elijah or the prophet. John was the "voice" that preceded the Word. To this Word that became flesh, he directed everyone's attention. "Among you is one whom you do not know" (John 1:26) and to make this Word known is the aim of the preaching of the Church. Why? To know Christ is to have life. "This is eternal life, that all may know You, the only true God and the One whom You sent - Jesus Christ" (John 17: 3).
The Church in Thessalonica got to know Christ through the preaching of Paul. One important part of that message is the promise of the second coming of Christ in glory. Through his letter, the apostle was preparing the Thessalonians for that event. This preparation included eight specific pieces of advice. The first three relate to the lifestyle that flows from faith: constant joy, prayer without ceasing, and thanksgiving in every life situation. The next three are connected with the Holy Spirit: the prohibition of "extinguishing" the Holy Spirit, the prohibition of disregarding the prophecy, and the call to discernment. Finally, the last two evoke the image of biblical Job. Like him (see Job 1: 1), the Thessalonians should hold on to the good and avoid evil. These counsels end with the apostle praying that God would complete their sanctity and keep them without blemish at the coming of Christ.
The third Sunday of Advent is dominated by the theme of joy. "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord" (Is 61:10), proclaims Isaiah and Paul tells us to "rejoice always" (1 Thess 5:16). The Gospel is Good News about God who loves us, His Son who redeems us, and the Spirit who sanctifies us. The joy that comes with the message of the Gospel is one among many fruits of the Spirit. It springs from the vision of the fulfilment of God's plan of salvation culminating in the establishment of a new world where justice prevails, there is no violence and war, and all people praise the Lord (see Is 61:10).