The Third Sunday of Advent, Dominica III Adventus, traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, marks a moment of joyful expectation in our Advent journey. The Church, in her wisdom, gives us two readings this Sunday that harmonize perfectly in their themes of joy and preparation: Philippians 4:4-7 and John 1:19-28. Both call us to rejoice and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, offering a rich tapestry of theological depth that has been illuminated by the Church Fathers.
Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice in the Lord Always
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
The exhortation to rejoice is central to this Sunday’s liturgy, reflected in the rose vestments and the lighting of the rose candle on the Advent wreath. St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians exhorts us to joy, but it is not a superficial happiness; it is a joy grounded in the nearness of the Lord. This joy is an act of faith and trust, especially in times of trial.
St. John Chrysostom, reflecting on this passage, reminds us that this joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in God Himself. He writes:
“Paul does not say ‘rejoice’ when everything goes well, but always. A Christian’s joy comes not from external prosperity but from the presence of Christ within them. The Lord is near, and nothing should disturb us when He is our refuge.”
The peace that surpasses all understanding is another gift promised in this passage. St. Augustine speaks of this peace as the fruit of rightly ordered love:
“Peace is the tranquility of order. When our desires and fears are aligned with God’s will, we are no longer slaves to anxiety. True peace is found in surrendering all to the One who loves us beyond measure.”
As we meditate on these words, we are invited to make room for this divine peace in our hearts. Through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, we relinquish control, allowing the Lord to guard our hearts and minds.
John 1:19-28: The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness
The Gospel reading shifts our focus to the mission of St. John the Baptist. He embodies the Advent call to prepare the way of the Lord. When questioned by the Pharisees and Levites about his identity, he humbly denies being the Christ or Elijah, affirming instead:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
The humility of John the Baptist is striking. St. Gregory the Great reflects on this, saying:
“John’s greatness lies in his humility. He does not seek glory for himself but points always to Christ. His words teach us that true greatness is found in becoming small, that Christ might increase in us.”
St. Ambrose draws attention to the significance of John’s role as a precursor:
“The Church must imitate John, proclaiming the coming of Christ and calling all to repentance. Like John, we prepare the way for Christ through our witness and by bringing others to recognize the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
John’s message to “make straight the way of the Lord” is a call to conversion. Origen interprets this as a summons to clear away the obstacles in our hearts—pride, selfishness, and sin—that hinder the Lord’s entrance.
Gaudete Sunday: A Call to Joyful Preparation
As we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, these readings remind us of the balance between rejoicing in the nearness of the Lord and actively preparing for His coming. The joy we are called to is not naive or disconnected from the trials of life; it is the deep and abiding joy of knowing that Christ is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux beautifully captures the spirit of this Sunday in his Advent Sermons:
“The Lord’s coming is near, but what does it mean to prepare? It means to cleanse our hearts through repentance, to adorn our souls with virtues, and to long with eager anticipation for the Bridegroom. Joy springs from this preparation because our hearts are being made ready for the greatest gift: God Himself.”
Let us heed the call of St. Paul and St. John the Baptist: Rejoice always, for the Lord is near. Prepare the way of the Lord in your hearts, and let His peace reign in you. With humility, prayer, and thanksgiving, let us approach Christmas with the radiant joy of those who know the Savior is coming.
As the Church Fathers teach us, the Advent journey is one of joyful anticipation and heartfelt preparation. May we, like St. John the Baptist, be voices crying in the wilderness, proclaiming Christ to the world with our words and deeds, and may His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Gaudete in Domino semper!