The prophet Isaiah gives us a beautiful vision of God’s coming into the world.  “Here is your God…he comes to save you.”  God does not come empty handed into our world.  He comes with joy bearing gifts of new life, freedom, hope and peace.  When God enters into the world there is great change in the landscape of our world.  Where there was once suffering there is now new life.  God comes into the world like a new springtime in which everything erupts into bloom.  Life flowers in God’s presence.  This growth and blossoming of life happens not only in fields and meadows but also in human lives.  Those who for too long have lived under the weight of various afflictions will be healed and given new hope.  Now instead of being bowed down under the weight of their affliction they will be “crowned with everlasting joy.”

     This is a beautiful word of hope for this Third Sunday of Advent that we traditionally call “Guadete Sunday.”  It is the Sunday on which we light the rose colored candle on our Advent wreath as a reminder of our cause for joy, that the Lord is near!  Just as children become almost giddy with joy as Christmas draws near and they look forward to the gifts under the tree that will bring them new joy so do we as children of God look forward to Christmas, sensing its nearness, and knowing that soon we will open new gifts that God has brought us with the coming of the Christ child. 

      As Christmas draws nearer and nearer we begin to hear children asking over and over again, “Is it time?”  On this Sunday of Advent we hear John the Baptist asking a similar question, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?”  John, who is sitting in a dark and lonely prison, wants to know whether it is time yet to put on the crown of everlasting joy.  Is Jesus God’s gift to humanity who brings salvation to the human race?  Jesus sends the disciples of John back with a simple affirmation, “Tell him what you see happening in the lives of the poor and oppressed.”  The things that are happening around Jesus are messianic signs of God entering into the world and bringing salvation.  Now is truly a time for joy!  Even John, in the darkness of his prison cell, can experience joy, for the light of faith allows him to dispel the darkness and to embrace the light of new hope that Jesus brings to the world.  Jesus gives John the gift of freedom, even though he remains in his prison, for he experiences the joy of knowing that he has completed his mission and that his life and suffering have meaning.

     One of the questions for this time of expectant, patient waiting that is asked by Jesus is, “What are you expecting?”  When people went out to see John the Baptist, what were they expecting to find?  I am sure that they were expecting God to come in power and glory.  Both John and later Jesus demonstrate God’s power at work in human weakness.  God chooses the weak and makes them strong.  God comes to us hidden in the poor and suffering.  When we do not get what we were expecting it is easy for us to be disappointed and dejected.  Sometimes our expectations do not allow us to see the true gift that is given by one who loves us.  When this happens we miss out on joy.  This Guadete Sunday prepares us for joy and reminds us to set our expectations in the right place.

     This Third Sunday of Advent we also celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Mary has always been to our Church a cause of joy.  Certainly for the native peoples of Mexico she brought a message of great hope.  She revealed herself to them, through Juan Diego, as a mother, expectant with hope.  She expressed God’s love for them through the tenderness of her own love.  In this way she allowed the poor and humble of Mexico to draw near to God through her maternal mediation.  Through her, God has blessed the people of Mexico and sheltered them as a mother shelters her children.  This Guadete Sunday we have many reasons to experience joy and rejoice in God’s love and mercy towards us.