Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Third Sunday of Advent Year C
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara
15 December 2024
Rejoicing in the Lord’s Presence
Today is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, a day when the liturgical colour shifts from violet to rose, symbolizing a moment of joyful anticipation. As we continue our Advent pilgrimage, the Church reminds us that even in the midst of waiting, we are called to rejoice in the nearness of the Lord.
In our Scripture readings today, we hear a powerful message of joy, a joy that arises from knowing that God is with us, that God is near, and that God is working in our lives. As we approach the birth of Christ, we are reminded that our Advent preparation is not just about waiting — it is about rejoicing in the Lord’s presence.
In the first reading, the prophet Zephaniah speaks of a great reversal: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion; Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away.” (Zeph 3:14)
Zephaniah speaks to a people who had suffered great hardship, exile, and oppression. Yet, God’s promise is clear: God is near to His people and will bring deliverance. The people are called to rejoice because the Lord has come to save them, to remove their enemies, and to restore them to peace and prosperity.
In Advent, this message of joy speaks directly to our hearts. We, too, are waiting for the Lord’s coming, for His return in glory, but we are also called to rejoice because God is already with us. In the midst of our trials and struggles, God is near. God’s presence brings deliverance, healing, and joy. The joy we celebrate today is not just a future hope; it is a present reality, as we anticipate the fullness of God’s promise.
For the pilgrim on the journey of Advent, this is a moment to recognize that even while we wait for Christ to come again, He is already present with us, walking with us, and offering us His peace and joy.
Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians echoes the theme of joy: “I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness.” (Phil 4:4)
Paul encourages the Philippians — and all of us — to rejoice always, to be gentle with others, and to be prayerful, trusting that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds.
This exhortation to rejoice is not simply about happiness or comfort. It is about a deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing God is with us, from trusting that God’s peace will carry us through all of life’s challenges and difficulties. Even in the waiting, in the uncertainty, we are called to rejoice because the Lord’s nearness is a source of strength and consolation.
Advent is not only about our interior preparation — it is also about our outward actions. The joy we experience in God’s nearness urges us to bear fruit in our lives through acts of kindness, generosity, and justice. As we prepare for the coming of Christ, we are called to make straight the paths of our lives by living out His commands in the world. In this way, rejoicing is not just a feeling or an emotion; it is an active, outward expression of God’s presence in our lives. If we are truly rejoicing in the Lord’s presence, it will show in how we treat others, in how we bring justice and mercy to those in need, and in how we embody the peace of Christ in a troubled world.
My sisters and brothers, as we reflect on the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope” in the context of the Jubilee Year 2025, we recognize that our journey as pilgrims is one of both anticipation and joy. We are pilgrims, walking towards the fulfillment of God’s promises, but we are also pilgrims who are called to rejoice in the journey itself.
As pilgrims of hope, we choose to rejoice in the Lord’s presence, to trust in the peace of Jesus Christ, and to live out our vocation to a life of holiness and justice. Our journey is one of transformation, and as we rejoice in the Lord, we are continually renewed and strengthened for the journey ahead.
On this Third Sunday of Advent, might we take time to rejoice in the Lord’s presence: remembering that Jesus is near, that He brings joy and peace into our lives, and that we are called to reflect the presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
As we continue our Advent pilgrimage, may we live with the joy of knowing that Our Lord Jesus Christ is with us and that He is coming again in glory.
My dear people, let us rejoice always, trust in His peace, and live with hearts full of hope. May the joy of the Lord be our strength as we continue this journey together as pilgrims of hope. Amen.