Introduction
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, or the Sunday of Joy. The name Gaudete is derived from the Latin word for “rejoice” and originates from the first word of the day’s Entrance Antiphon: Gaudete in Domino semper (“Rejoice in the Lord always!”), taken from Philippians 4:4.
This Sunday stands out for its joyful tone, offering a moment of celebration in the midst of Advent’s penitential preparation as the Church eagerly anticipates the nearness of Christ’s birth.
The joy of Gaudete Sunday is symbolized by the lighting of the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath, and priests may wear rose-colored vestments, emphasizing the day’s theme of rejoicing.
1st Reading – Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.
During Advent, the first readings are prophecies that foretell the coming of the Messiah and vividly portray the peace, justice, and restoration his reign will bring. These prophetic visions resonate deeply with Advent’s themes of hope, anticipation, and preparation for Christ’s coming.
The prophet Zephaniah warned the kingdom of Judah about the impending judgment for their sins but also offered hope for a faithful remnant who would experience God’s restoration. Today’s reading is an oracle of salvation, speaking to this remnant with promises of joy and renewal, themes that resonate deeply with the spirit of Gaudete Sunday.
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
Zephaniah instructs the people to cast aside all reserve and rejoice wholeheartedly: Shout! Sing! Be glad and exult!
The various names used by the prophet for the people highlight different dimensions of their identity: spiritual (Zion), national (Israel), and communal (Jerusalem). This emphasizes that the call to rejoice extends to the entire covenant community.
The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.
The reason for their rejoicing is twofold: 1) deliverance from their enemies, accomplished by God, and 2) the abiding presence of God in their midst.
The reference to God as the King of Israel recalls Israel’s early history when God alone ruled as their sovereign. This kingship was rejected when the Israelites demanded a human king to govern them “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8), an act that insulted God’s authority.
This prophecy looks ahead to the restoration of God’s ultimate kingship in Christ, the Messiah-King, who perfectly fulfills the role that human kings could not.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
“That day” refers to the day of restoration, a time when God’s favor will be fully realized, bringing joy and renewal to His people.
However, it is also a day when God’s justice will be executed throughout the world, underscoring his righteousness and authority. This is why Zephaniah offers reassurance to the faithful remnant, encouraging them to cast aside fear and discouragement, trusting in God’s protection and his promises of salvation.
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior;
This brief statement is a powerful declaration of God’s intimate presence and his ability to save.
- “The Lord, your God” underscores the covenantal relationship between God and his people. This phrase highlights not only His sovereignty as Lord but also His personal commitment to Israel as their God, establishing a deep, relational bond that is central to the prophecy’s message of restoration.
- “In your midst” speaks to the physical and spiritual presence of God among his people. Unlike distant or abstract deities, the God of Israel is near and actively involved in the lives of his people.
- “A mighty savior” emphasizes God’s power and capability to rescue his people from danger, sin, and despair.
Together, these words encapsulate the essence of God’s redemptive work: He is both near and powerful, ready to save his people from their afflictions and restore them to a place of peace and joy.
he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
The reading closes with a tender expression of God’s love.
The verb for “rejoice” is śimhî, the same word traditionally used for a bridegroom rejoicing over his bride.
The verb translated as “renew” is hāraš, which literally means “to be quiet,” indicating that this love is too deep to be expressed in words — conveying a relationship of profound intimacy.
2nd Reading – Philippians 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
For the first three weeks of Advent, the second readings exhort us to live faithfully and responsibly in the present as we await Christ’s second coming, offering encouragement and guidance that bridge the reality of the Incarnation with the hope of his glorious return.
Today we hear from the last chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, where he encourages the community to rejoice in the Lord always, regardless of their circumstances.
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!
Like our reading from Zephaniah, Paul commands the people to rejoice, emphasizing it by repeating the exhortation.
This joy is not rooted in external circumstances but in a relationship with the Lord. It reflects a deep trust in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, transcending the challenges and uncertainties of life.
Your kindness should be known to all.
The term “kindness” (or “gentleness” in some translations) conveys a sense of moderation, patience, and a willingness to forgive — qualities that reflect Christlike behavior.
Paul calls for this disposition to be known to all, not just those within their community or those who are like them. Christ’s love is available to everyone.
The Lord is near.
This watchword is both a reminder of God’s ongoing presence and a reference to the imminent return of Christ, which motivates believers to live faithfully and graciously.
If we have lived righteously, he will come as our savior, not as our judge.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Paul contrasts anxiety with trust in the Lord, encouraging believers to bring all their concerns to God through prayer.
The thanksgiving Paul envisions here can be understood two ways: 1) as an expression of thanks as they ask for what they need, rather than after their request is fulfilled, as an indication of faith in God’s providential love, and 2) as expressing a broader sense of gratitude for who God is and what he has already done.
This attitude aligns with the Christian understanding that God works all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul presents the outcome of a prayerful, trusting relationship with God: his unfathomable peace.
This divine peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound sense of well-being and wholeness that transcends human comprehension.
The image of a peace that “will guard your hearts and minds” depicts God’s peace as a protective force that shields believers from fear, doubt, and spiritual turmoil, rooted in their union with Christ. This is certainly reason to rejoice!
“When the peace of God has come upon us we shall understand God. There will be no discord, no disagreement, no quarrelsome arguments, nothing subject to question. This is hardly the case in worldly life. But it shall be so when we have the peace of God, wherein all understanding shall be ours. For peace is the state of being already at rest, already secure.” [Marius Victorinus (ca. 355 AD), Epistle to the Philippians, 4,7]
Gospel – Luke 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
As noted last week, John the Baptist is a central figure and symbol of Advent. Each year, his presence takes center stage in the gospel readings for the Second and Third Sundays of Advent, where he is depicted as a voice crying out in the wilderness as foretold in Isaiah 40:3, calling people to repentance and announcing the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”
John the Baptist’s preaching centers heavily on repentance and judgment. Just before this verse, John delivered a fiery call to repentance, saying this to the crowds: “Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance… Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:8-9).
His imagery of the axe at the root of the trees emphasizes the urgency of turning away from sin. The people, moved by his strong message, genuinely want to know how they should respond and what practical steps they need to take to live righteously.
He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”
John lived an austere life, removed from society (Matthew 3:4), but he does not prescribe that lifestyle for the crowds. Instead, he meets people where they are, urging them to reform their daily lives.
His answer highlights that internal repentance must manifest in outward actions that reflect love for others.
This call to generosity and justice foreshadows the central themes of Jesus’ ministry, which will emphasize love, mercy, and care for the marginalized (e.g. Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 25:35-40).
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
The Jewish people were taxed into poverty by their Roman oppressors, who lived opulently. The tax collectors were fellow Jews who were employed by Rome and were seen as traitors by their countrymen. They were often petty tyrants and renegades who took advantage of the vague and indefinite tax rates to collect more than what was owed, which they kept as profit.
To be plundered by Gentile overlords was bad enough, but to experience this abuse at the hands of their fellow Jews was far worse. Tax collectors were therefore considered among the worst of sinners.
He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
With honesty and courage, John calls out the chief sin of the tax collectors. Instead of instructing them to resign, he challenges them to abandon greed and corruption, making their work just and fair.
Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?”
Soldiers, likely those serving under Herod Antipas, also ask John for guidance. Since they helped enforce Rome’s oppressive will on the Jewish people, they too were despised.
He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
John’s response focuses on ending abuses of power, including extortion and false accusations, and practicing contentment. This advice calls for justice and integrity, particularly for those in positions of authority.
Saint Bede the Venerable observed, “What great virtue there was in the discourse of the Baptist is manifested by this, that the tax collectors, nay even the soldiers, he compelled to seek counsel of him concerning their salvation.” In other words, John’s preaching struck such a deep chord with people that the most unlikely of hearers sought his moral direction.
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.
John’s powerful preaching and charismatic presence stirred the people’s hopes for the coming Messiah that had been foretold by the prophets. They naturally wonder if he might be the promised one.
John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
John humbly and clearly acknowledges his role as the forerunner of the Messiah, never claiming to be the Messiah himself.
He expresses this humility vividly, declaring that he is unworthy even to untie the sandals of the long-awaited Savior—a task so menial that it was considered beneath the dignity of a Hebrew slave. This statement not only highlights John’s deep reverence for Christ but also serves as a powerful reminder of his selfless commitment to pointing others toward the One who is greater.
When our identity is firmly rooted in being a beloved child of God, we are freed from the need to compete, compare, or deny the greatness of others. Like John, we can embrace our unique role in God’s plan with humility and gratitude, acknowledging that by the grace of God, we are who we are — and that is enough.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John’s baptism with water was a ritual of repentance and cleansing. In contrast, Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, which not only cleanses but will purge and transform (see Acts 19:3-6).
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
John uses agricultural imagery to describe the Messiah’s judgment. Grain was separated from its chaff by winnowing, a process where the mixture of wheat and chaff was thrown into the air with a winnowing fan. The chaff would blow away, leaving the grain to fall to the floor and be swept into the kitchen or barn.
The usual way of interpreting this judgment scene is that the righteous will be separated from the unrepentant, the saved from the lost — a clear and sobering reminder of the decisive and eternal consequences of rejecting or accepting God’s call.
However, the fire can also be understood as a symbol of refinement, offering a more personal and hopeful dimension to the scene. Scripture often uses fire not only to signify judgment but also purification (e.g. Malachi 3:2-3, 1 Corinthians 3:13). In this sense, the fire of Christ can be seen as burning away the “chaff” within each of us —our ego, sin, and selfishness — transforming us into the image of God.
Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
Despite his warnings of judgment, John’s message is fundamentally one of hope and preparation for the Messiah. His exhortations aim to guide the people toward repentance, renewal, and readiness for the coming salvation.
The “good news” points to the imminent arrival of Jesus, who embodies the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Connections and Themes
- Gaudete Sunday. The principal theme of the readings for Gaudete Sunday is joy, a joy deeply rooted in the nearness of God and his saving work. In the first reading, Zephaniah calls the people of Israel to shout for joy because God has removed their judgment, turned away their enemies, and will dwell among them as a mighty Savior who rejoices over them with gladness. Paul exhorts the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord always,” emphasizing that this joy is not dependent on external circumstances but flows from the nearness of the Lord. Even John the Baptist’s austere message of repentance is infused with joy as it proclaims the coming of the Messiah.
- Advent joy. The joy we celebrate this Sunday is not a fleeting emotion but a profound, spiritual joy grounded in God’s presence, his saving action, and the hope of what is to come. As we journey through Advent, this joy encourages us to look forward to Christ’s coming with hearts full of gratitude and trust in his promises.
- Be who you are. John the Baptist challenged the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers to live out their vocations with honesty, integrity, and compassion. Rather than calling them to abandon their lives or stations, he urged them to reform their daily actions to reflect repentance and love for others.This Advent, we are also invited to reform our daily lives. Perhaps we need to be saved from the fraudulent images we create of ourselves in order to impress, compete, or fit in. These layers of duplicity, whether born of insecurity or pride, distance us from our true identity as God’s children. John’s call to repentance challenges us to strip away such pretense, standing honestly and humbly before God. Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, where we shed what is false and unnecessary to make space for Christ’s redeeming presence.Just as John humbly embraced his role as the forerunner of the Messiah, pointing others to Christ rather than himself, we too are called to embrace who we truly are: loved, forgiven, and redeemed by God. By living authentically and serving others with humility, we prepare the way for the Lord, eager to receive the fullness of his redemption.
Sunday Readings 