Parish News
A JOYFUL HEART
As we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent, also named ‘Gaudete’ or ‘Rejoicing’ Sunday, we light the rose coloured candle.
The scriptures today are filled with pro-active invitations: ‘Shout with Joy’ ... ‘Shout aloud’; ‘Rejoice, exult with all your heart [for] the Lord your God is in your midst ... he will renew you by his love!’ [Zephaniah 3:14-18] and in the second reading from Philippians 4: 4-7 we read: “I want you to be happy; always happy in the Lord! I repeat what I want is your happiness.’
God desires for us a well grounded and spiritual joy that is open to God working in our lives. ‘A famous Jesuit priest says there are two hands of God. One works on the inside of us and the other on the outside.
When someone is using clay to make a jar, they need to use both hands. One to shape the outside and the other the inside. [Fr Trevor Trotter ssc].
This shaping and constant renewing by God is seen when we are tolerant towards others, when we are not consumed by useless worry or anxiety but knowing, if we have a genuine need, we simply ask for it in prayer and thanksgiving and God’s peace will fill our hearts with an unspeakable peace, guarding our hearts and thoughts. [Philippians 4:4-7] ‘The person who is spiritually mature trusts in the presence of a loving God to bring this moment, whatever it is, to ripen in the soul’ [Joan Chittister,osb].
‘WHAT MUST WE DO?’
n the Gospel this question rings out from the people who are following John the Baptist. His message still rings true for us: generous care of those in need, fairness in business practice, and no violence - are just some of the challenges. As Bishop David Walker states: ‘No hunger, no cheating, no violence. What a challenge for us and our society. Paradoxically, accepting this challenge of discipleship leads to authentic joy.’ As we embrace the third week of Advent, in the midst of stress, busy-ness and consumerism, how do we respond to the message of John and Jesus? ‘What then shall we do?’
Marie Weatherall
LIVING FAITH IN THE EVERYDAY
Advent is a time for conversion. Conversion can only come from a desire to change. John the Baptist
recognised this in the people’s question. “What should we do?”, they asked him. These were people not unlike many of us trapped in our worldly desires, for money, power, recognition and greed: tax-collectors, kings, prostitutes, community elders and priests.
The Baptist’s response invites change:
Stop collecting more than what is prescribed. [….] Do not practise extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone and be satisfied with your wages. How difficult it is to hear such advice in these times?
The Baptist’s words insist on reform. Let us consider our own lives - where does the Baptist’s call to change the practices that deny life resonate?
The Lord loves us, deeply. The Lord knows us
intimately and still he knows that there is something so much deeper that is good and whole in each of us.
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully,
O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
Let us use this remaining time of Advent to share what we have, to give graciously and to see things anew — in ourselves and in others
– to experience Joy
