Zeph 3:14-17; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

“Brothers, always be happy in the Lord.” The invitation to joy illuminates the liturgy of the Third Sunday of Advent, in the awareness that – as Zephaniah affirms – “the Lord, your God, among you, is a powerful savior”. Surprisingly, however our joy is not only an answer to God’s gift, but it is a participation in his own joy. The prophet announces it again: «He will rejoice for you, he will renew you with his love, he will exult for you with shouts of joy». Coming to visit us, the Lord comes to share with us his own joy, that of being among his people, who not only welcomes him and meets him, but lets himself be renewed by his faithful and fruitful love. A novelty, recalls the preaching of the Baptist, which does not require us to leave or abandon the ordinary conditions of our existence, but to live them transfigured by the good and joyful news of the Kingdom: sharing goods, seeking justice, watching over the temptations towards power and violence. The Kingdom should not be looked for somewhere, but in the ferment of life, freed from all that is “straw”, to bring the abundant harvest of good wheat.

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey