Third Sunday of Advent ‘C’

In today's celebration, we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath, and the priest may wear rose vestments to symbolize our shared joy in anticipating the coming of Jesus, our Savior. We find joy in celebrating Christ's birth and recognizing His constant presence in our lives. We also look forward to His return in glory. Today's theme is “Rejoice!” - a reminder to recognize Jesus among us and welcome Him into our lives through repentance, renewal, and living out God's will.

In the First Reading, the Prophet Zephaniah encourages Jerusalem and Israel to rejoice as they anticipate the Lord's deliverance.

Echoing this, today's Responsorial Psalm (Isaiah 12) calls on the city of Zion to “shout with exultation” because “great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Saint Paul, writing from prison in the Second Reading, also emphasizes this message of joy: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice.”

In the Gospel, John the Baptist reveals that true Christian joy comes from fully committing to God's way by doing His will. According to John, happiness arises from fulfilling our responsibilities, doing good for others, and sharing our blessings. His call to repentance is a pathway to joy and renewal. Repentance involves changing the purpose and direction of our lives. John urges people to act justly, charitably, and honestly, reflecting their inner transformation. For us, this transformation happens when Christ becomes part of our lives, and it should be evident in our actions as John suggests.

We are invited to change our lives and reevaluate our relationships with others. This means addressing conflicts, meeting family obligations, working honestly, and treating coworkers and employees fairly. Our personal and social lives must be brought into order. We should remember that, like John the Baptist, we are called to prepare the way for Jesus.