🙏 SUNDAY INSIGHTS - 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 🙏

First Reading - Zephaniah 3:14-18 

Second Reading - Philippians 4:4-7 

Gospel - Luke 3:10-18

“Rejoice Always!” This is the theme resounding through today’s readings. But let’s be honest—how often do we find ourselves truly rejoicing? In a world filled with stress, worries, and uncertainties, joy can seem elusive. Yet, Scripture invites us to embrace a joy that transcends circumstances—a joy that transforms our lives. The question is: how can we find it?

Zephaniah paints a beautiful picture of a God who is not distant or indifferent but deeply involved in our lives. He describes God rejoicing over His people, singing joyfully because of them. Imagine that for a moment: God is singing over you! This is not a joy based on what we’ve achieved or earned, but on who God is—a God who delights in us despite our flaws. This should fill us with hope. If God is rejoicing over us, why shouldn’t we rejoice in Him?

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, takes it a step further. He doesn’t just suggest joy; he commands it: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Not when things are perfect, not when life is easy, but always. How? Paul gives us a practical roadmap: replace anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving. When we acknowledge our dependence on God through prayer, we open our hearts to His peace—a peace that guards us against despair and anchors us in hope.

But what does this look like in daily life? The Gospel provides the answer. The people come to John the Baptist asking, “What should we do?” His response is simple yet powerful: live justly, share generously, and be content. John challenges each group to examine their lives and act with integrity and compassion. This is where joy becomes practical—by aligning our lives with God’s will, we create room for His joy to dwell within us.

Dear friends, let’s bring this into our world today. Are we weighed down by anxieties or constantly striving for more, thinking it will bring happiness? Perhaps it’s time to pause and ask ourselves, “What should we do?” Maybe it’s sharing what we have with someone in need, reconciling with a family member, or simply being thankful for the blessings we already have. Joy isn’t found in having more but in giving more—of our time, our love, and our resources.

So as we journey through Advent, let us take this invitation to heart. Let’s seek the joy that comes from God’s presence and share it with the world around us. Rejoice always, because God is near, God is with us, and God delights in us. And in that, we find a joy that nothing in this world can take away.