Call to Enjoy Lasting Happiness
Introduction
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Christmas has started in its full sense
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With the simbang gabi and misa de gallo.
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With lots of decorations and lights.
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With gifts giving and receiving.
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This Sunday is Gaudete Sunday – Sunday of
Rejoicing.
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What makes us rejoice?
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Is it the decorations and the lights?
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Is it exchange of gifts?
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Is it Christmas parties?
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All these things are expressions of Joy.
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God invites us to enjoy the lasting joy. The instructions
for this lasting joy is given through today’s gospel – the preaching of John
the Baptist.
Content
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John the Baptist teaches us the way to real and
lasting joy. Two important piece of advice;
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Turn to God
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Do your ordinary duties responsibly.
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Context of today’s reading is;
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Restlessness of people – they want to have peace
and joy. But they do not know what to do.
o
They were expecting a messiah, a savior who
would fill them with joy and peace.
o
John advices to do not any extra ordinary
things.
o
John’s advice is to do ordinary things
extra-ordinarily.
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Turn to God
o
Repentance and Metanoia – a complete turn
towards God and His ways.
o
The example is the call of Simon, Andrew, James
and John. They left everything and turned to Jesus.
o
It is a complete turn to Jesus, leaving behind
what is not according to the will of God in our lives.
o
It is also invites us to check our preferences
of our lives. Are we giving first preference to God in our lives?
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Do the ordinary duties responsibly
o
Tax collectors came to John – the advice was,
‘stop collecting more taxes’.
o
Soldiers came to John – the advice was, ‘do not
practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone and be satisfied with your
wages’.
Conclusion
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Sometimes we search for joy happiness in wrong
places and things
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Eg – drinking, smoking, bribe, sexual pleasures,
extra-marital affairs etc.
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We may get momentary happiness from those things.
But these things make us disappointed and sad in long run.
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We have to look for the God-given joys that are
still hidden in our lives.
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Remember – our God is not a god of sorrow but a
god of joy, happiness and life.
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