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 3^rd Sunday of Advent, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Christ’s Mission and Our Expectations

Readings: Is 35:1–6; James 5:7–10; Mt 11:2–11

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, the third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Its name comes from today’s entrance antiphon from the Letter of St Paul to the Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”

The word Gaudete is the Latin imperative of gaudere, meaning “to rejoice”. On this Sunday, the Church invites us, with the words of St Paul, to rejoice in the Lord always (Gaudete in Domino semper).

The Church calls us to joy because our Redeemer is near; the celebration of Christ’s birth is close at hand. This Sunday marks the halfway point of Advent, reminding us that our preparation for Christmas is well underway. Today, the Church encourages us to lighten the solemn and penitential mood with joy, to refresh ourselves, regain strength, and continue our journey toward Christmas. Symbolically, the liturgical colour shifts from violet to rose, a colour that elicits joy. Today, priests wear rose vestments, and the rose-coloured candle of the Advent wreath is lit.

This joy is echoed in the first reading from Isaiah. To a people in exile, Isaiah announced liberation and restoration; their Saviour and liberator was coming to visit them. He told them that the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame would leap like deer, the mute would sing for joy, the weak would be strengthened, and the wilderness would blossom. He proclaimed that their Saviour would bring them back to Zion to praise God.

Dear friends, the Church proclaims the same message to us today. The coming of Jesus into our lives makes big differences. He liberates us from sin and shame, restores our dignity as children of God, and fills our hearts with peace, love, and inner joy. His presence heals and makes us whole. That is why the Psalmist cries out in today’s psalm, saying, “Come, Lord, and save us.” Let this prayer be always on our lips, for our world deeply needs God’s intervention.

However, as we rejoice and wait for God’s intervention, today’s Gospel warns us against false expectations. We hear of John the Baptist’s doubt while in prison. Though John had once proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, he now questioned whether Jesus was truly the Messiah. Why? Because John, like many Israelites, expected a Messiah who would be a warrior, one who would overthrow the Romans and restore David’s kingdom. But Jesus’ mission was one of peace, love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. This left many disappointed, and John himself uncertain. John’s uncertainty was even more intense because he was in prison and may have thought that the Saviour would liberate him from Herold.

Jesus’ response to John’s disciples was very clear and direct. He said, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” In other words, His mission perfectly fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah.

Dear friends, disappointment with Jesus’ mission is not confined to John’s time. Even today, many reject Christ because He does not act according to their expectations. Some want a God of vengeance who destroys enemies. Others abandon the Church because they see Jesus as “too weak.” Some turn to pagan practices or superstition, hoping for quick solutions. Many Christians chase miracles and material blessings, forgetting that salvation is the true gift.

But Jesus does not come to fight our enemies in the way we imagine. He comes to undo the damage of sin, to restore what is broken, and to heal our hearts. He is not a Messiah of material excess, but of eternal life. He is compassionate, patient, and merciful, giving sinners time to repent and offering us what truly leads to salvation.

In the second reading, James was speaking to an audience that was facing persecutions, with some of them losing faith in God because He did not eliminate the emperors that were persecuting them. St James urged patience: “Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord.” He reminded them and us that God’s timing is not ours, and that perseverance is essential. The Church echoes this same call today: we must be patient with God. He is still at work in our lives, shaping us, healing us, and preparing us for His coming.

As we rejoice this Gaudete Sunday, let us purify our expectations of Christ. He is not the Saviour of our whims, but the Saviour of our souls. May we welcome Him with joy, patience, and faith, trusting that His mission is always for our good and for our salvation.

Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima