A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 7, n. 3)
3rd Sunday in Advent, Year B – December 14, 2008
“Rejoice Always!”
BIBLE READINGS
Is 61:1-2a, 10-11 // I Thes 5:16-24 // Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
(N.B. Series 7 of BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy of Year B from the perspective of the Second Reading. For other reflections on the Sunday liturgy of Year B, please go to the PDDM Web Archives: WWW.PDDM.US and open Series 1 & 4.)
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS
The third Sunday of Advent, the season of the “coming one”, pulses with joyful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. The bible readings of this Sunday – aptly called “Gaudete Sunday” – are marked with notes of joy. The Old Testament Reading (Is 61:1-2a, 10-11) underlines the deepest joy that Jerusalem experiences in the Lord through the saving intervention of the “coming one” – the one anointed by the Spirit to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, and to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God (v. 1-2a). The Gospel Reading (Jn 1:6-8, 19-28) is about the unequivocal witness of John the Baptist concerning Jesus, the font of true joy. John the Baptist greatly rejoices at the advent of Jesus Christ, who realizes radically the salvation promised by God through the ages. The canticle of Mary, figure of the Church, is used as a “Responsorial Psalm” in this Sunday’s Mass (cf. Lk 1:46-54) to heighten the joyful spirit that permeates the Church – rejoicing in the ultimate salvation won by Jesus Christ through his paschal sacrifice on the cross. In the Second Reading (cf. I Thess 5:16-24), the great apostle Paul exhorts the “advent” community in Thessalonica to rejoice in the Lord always.
In this Year of St. Paul (June 28, 2008 – June 29, 2009), to help us celebrate more meaningfully our identity as a Christian community in joyful expectation for the definitive “advent” of our Lord God, let us make a special effort to delve into the Pauline passages proclaimed in the Sunday liturgy. Today’s reading is taken from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, the earliest letter he wrote and possibly, the oldest extant Christian manuscript (dated circa 50 A.D.).
The following commentary by the GOOD NEWS BIBLE is a good background: “Thessalonica was the capital city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Paul established a church there after he left Philippi. Soon, however, there was opposition from Jews who were jealous of Paul’s success in preaching the Christian message among the non-Jews who had become interested in Judaism. Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica and go to Berea. Later on, after he reached Corinth, Paul received a personal report from his companion and fellow worker Timothy about the situation in the church at Thessalonica. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians was then written to encourage and reassure the Christians there. He gives thanks for the news about their faith and love; he reminds them of the kind of life he had lived while he was with them, and then answers questions that had arisen in the church about the return of Christ: Could a believer who died before Christ’s return still share in the eternal life that his return will bring? And when will Christ come again? Paul takes this occasion to tell them to go on working quietly while waiting in hope for Christ’s return.”
The first Pauline letter to the Thessalonians is important for it gives us a glimpse into the life of the early Christian community, struggling to live out its faith in a harsh atmosphere of hostility and persecution and wrestling with issues concerning the future coming of the Lord Jesus. Indeed, some Thessalonians were expecting the Lord’s parousia or “second coming” to occur in their lifetime and others were discouraged by the delay in the Lord’s “second coming”. In this Sunday’s passage (I Thess 5:16-24), the great apostle Paul exhorts the early Christians to embrace a way of life oriented to God in joy, prayer and thanksgiving. The ad interim season of waiting for the Lord’s “second coming” should be lived by the Church as a time of enduring joy in openness to the workings of the Spirit, as a time of praying for the final advent of God’s reign in his Son Jesus, and as a time of gratitude and thanksgiving. Strengthened by the belief that God is faithful, the advent season of the Church is lived not in passive expectation, but in a celebration of life that is filled with joy, constant prayer and thanksgiving.
Concerning the element of joy that animates the Church, in this grace-filled season of Advent, Aelred Rossser comments: “Although our progression through Advent becomes more and more concerned with the historical birth of Jesus, we are never very far away from the thought of his second coming at the end of time. The apostle Paul presents us with something of a list of good works that will keep us ready for that second coming. The first thing we must do is rejoice always … not giddiness, not naïve optimism, not Pollyanna shallowness, and not a grin and bear it perseverance … Christian joy is profound, deep, unshakeable, permanent. And being a joyful Christian does not mean that we cannot feel sorrow, grief, or sadness. The truly joyful person feels these emotions very deeply – and expresses them without embarrassment. The realistic Christian knows full well that honest striving for holiness involves suffering. And suffering threatens to take away our happiness. Paul speaks of the kind of joy that endures (perhaps is even increased) in the face of suffering. It is the kind of joy that comes with Advent hope, the sure belief that God’s promises to us will be fulfilled.”
These past days were deeply significant for me. Three weeks after I visited my sick brother in Canada, who is terminally ill with cancer, my 90-year old mother became gravely ill and three days after, on November 16, died of massive kidney failure. In all these painful experiences, however, there is a profound undercurrent of serenity and joy that springs forth from a humble trust in God’s faithfulness. The death of a loved one is a special kind of “advent” of the Lord God. In this mysterious event, we feel the awesome presence of his life-giving power and eternal love. Indeed, neither illness nor death could take away the joy of knowing that both in life and death, we are the Lord’s and that he died and rose again to give us life. My mother Eulalia, whom we lovingly call “Mamang”, was buried in Mactan Island in Cebu, Philippines. At her funeral Mass in the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Barrio Marigondon on November 22, I spoke the following words of hope and consolation.
We have come together as a community of faith to celebrate the dies natalis or the birth to eternal life of Eulalia Abayan Tapang, my mother and the mother of Edgardo, Jose Jr., Nilo, Gisbert and Allen. Our two youngest brothers – Gisbert and Allen – who are in Canada could not be with us physically, but they are definitely united with us spiritually in this celebration of life. My brother Gisbert is terminally ill with cancer. I am sure that in heaven, Mamang continues her prayers for the healing and inner strength needed by Gisbert.
On November 14 (Friday) – last week – at about 3:00 A.M. in our convent in Los Angeles – I had a dream. I dreamt that Mamang collapsed in my arms. I woke up startled and perplexed. I wondered what that dream could mean. After the Mass when we were having breakfast, I shared with the Sisters in our community my “dream” of Mamang collapsing in my arms. I had just finished sharing this dream when the telephone rang. Sr. Mary Lucy from the PDDM convent in San Jose informed me that my brother Nilo had been frantically trying to contact me. I called up Nilo, who told me that Mamang was in serious condition and that she wanted to see me. With the blessing of my Superiors and with the help of my cousin Connie, I was able to re-schedule my November 20 trip to the Philippines and fly that very evening to Cebu.
I arrived in Mactan Island on Sunday morning (November 16) and after a quick breakfast, we proceeded to the North General Hospital in Talamban, Cebu where Mamang was confined in the ICU. My mother was comatose and in an extreme condition. I remained at her side, praying and commending her soul to the Lord. Fr. Diosdado, a young Augustinian priest, administered the last rites. I whispered in her ears: “Mamang, you are ready. You have done your part dutifully and lovingly. Thank you for what you have done as a true mother and teacher, and as a devout disciple-servant of the Lord God. You have lived fully – 90 blessed years – and you have given us courage, focus and direction in life. When Jesus, Mary and Joseph come, and when our dad “Papang” come to get you, you may go!”
At her deathbed, I was repeating the beautiful invocation: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.”
At about 7:00 P.M. I spoke to Mamang my words of farewell: “Mamang, I am going for Mass. Nilo will arrive tomorrow.” // “Aalis na ako, Mamang! Magsisimba po ako. Bukas darating si Nilo.” Kuya Eddie, Ate Ruby and I were in the car when we received the notice from the ICU staff that Mamang passed away. We immediately returned to the ICU and prayed the ritual prayers after the death of a person. A few moments later, the PDDM Sisters from Capitol, Cebu – in full force – came. We then had a more solemn prayer service for the repose of her soul, accompanied with beautiful singing.
We grieve, yes! But at the same time we are heartened by the reality that death is not the end – but the door to eternal life!
Mamang, the Lord God has blessed you and has been gracious to you. You shall be with the Lord forever. You shall see God as he really is. You have passed from death to life. You shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Mamang, happy birthday to eternal life!
And to all of you who have shared in our grief – especially to you Fr. Boy and Fr. Bong – and to all who have participated intimately in Mamang’s paschal victory to eternal life, in the name of the Tapang Family, I thank you. May God bless you abundantly!
And now, let us unite ourselves with the PDDM Sisters in prayer as they sing the invocation for Mamang and for us all: “Dona nobis pacem … Grant us peace!”
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
What are the references and expressions of joy in this Sunday’s Advent liturgy? How do the experiences of joy of various biblical personages affect and inspire you? What are your own personal experiences of joy?
Why is Jesus the true font of beauty and joy? Are you willing to be “anointed” by the Spirit of Jesus and thus experience the joy of his presence and receive the challenge of being today’s witness of the Gospel joy? Are you resolved to hasten the advent of God’s reign upon earth?
How do you respond to Paul’s exhortation “Rejoice in the Lord always”? How do the experiences of sadness, trials, difficulties and troubles affect your spirit of joy? Why is it important to “rejoice in the Lord always”?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: Loving Father,
we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ,
the font of beauty and joy.
He is your Servant-Son anointed by the Spirit
to bring glad tidings to the poor and heal the brokenhearted.
We thank you for the Blessed Mother Mary,
model of the Church
and a figure of the lowly “anawim”.
She has shown us how to rejoice in your message of salvation
and be receptive to grace.
Filled with the Holy Spirit,
she enabled the Word of God to become flesh in her womb.
In giving birth to Jesus,
Mary allowed the divine joy to dwell in our hearts.
We thank you, almighty Father,
for the great apostle Paul
who brought the Good News of salvation to the nations.
St. Paul urged Christian believers
to live the Advent season of the Church
in a life of rejoicing, praying and thanksgiving.
Help us to heed Paul’s exhortation to rejoice always,
believing that your plan for us is benevolent
and that your promises of salvation for all will be fulfilled.
With Mother Mary, John the Baptist and St. Paul,
help us to be ardent witnesses of Jesus,
allowing the joyful radiance of his love
to pierce the morbid darkness of today’s fragmented world.
As we prepare in joyful expectation for the Lord’s coming at the end time,
help us not to be passive,
but rather to be active and creative
in promoting the glorious “advent” of your reign on earth.
Adveniat regnum tuum!
May your kingdom come and
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,
now and forever.
Assembly: Amen.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“Rejoice always.” (I Thes 5:16a)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
ACTION PLAN: By your commitment to be Gospel bearers and to be channels of joy, peace and justice in today’s world, enable the reign of God to come upon earth in Jesus.
ACTION PLAN: That we may toil fruitfully for the Lord and multiply our God-given talents, make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM WEB site (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR: A Weekly Pastoral Tool (Year B, vol. 5, #3).
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US