Psalm Reflection: The Third Sunday of Advent, “Gaudete Sunday” - Cycle B

“My soul rejoices in my God.” - Luke 1

As I write this, we are exactly two months away from welcoming our third child into the world. The joyful anticipation of a pregnancy is such a profound and accurate symbol for the season of Advent. Our joy is here, but also not yet. Our daughter is here in the womb, moving and kicking, but we will not experience the fullness of her presence until she is born. Yet, even in the midst of the waiting and the anxiety of everything that needs to get done, we rejoice in excitement and gratitude for her.

This Sunday is named “Gaudete Sunday,” which gets in name from a Latin word meaning “rejoice.” We rejoice because Christmas is almost here, but still not yet. We journey with Mary in her pregnancy, being reminded of the joyful anticipation we must have for Jesus who became man, but will also come again, in the same way a mother anxiously waits in joy for the birth of her child.

Here, and not yet.

Our responsorial Psalm comes from Mary’s Magnificat, the prayer of praise and thanksgiving she utters after visiting her cousin Elizabeth in the first chapter of Luke. The full line the Responsorial is derived from is:

 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” - Luke 1:46-47

The word “proclaim” in Greek is μεγαλύνει (megalynei), which means “magnify,” where the word Magnificat is derived from. To proclaim the greatness of the Lord means to magnify His presence. In the same way that a magnifying glass makes things appear closer, we make God more visible to others when we proclaim His goodness by the way we live our lives with joy.

Mary is willing and able to say “yes” despite the immense social persecution and ostracization she would experience as a result. Think of the rumors surrounding her being with child while being betrothed to Joseph, which, at the time, could have been interpreted as adultery, a crime punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22-24). Mary knew these risks and yet she completely surrendered and said “yes.” We call this “yes” her fiat, from the Latin translation of Luke 1:38:

Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.

“May it be done to me according to your word.” 

Fiat. May it be done. This was a declaration of such profound faith, through which the Savior of the world was born to humanity. That is the power of someone saying “yes” to the Lord. Her words echoed the power of God’s very first words in Scripture from Genesis 1:3:

Fiat lux.

“Let there be light.”

The power of your “yes” can bring light to the darkness in the world and in the lives of those around. Your “yes” can magnify the Lord and make Him more visible, more present.

We are called to be like to moon. The moon is a just a big dead rock in space. It generates no light of its’ own, and yet it shines most nights in the sky. Why? Because it reflects the light of the sun. The moon magnifies and proclaims the presence of the sun simply by existing in proximity to it and not getting in the way. It can do nothing on its’ own, but it shines beautifully because of the light of sun.

This Advent, God is calling you to say a deeper and more emphatic “yes” to Him in every part of your life. He is calling you to magnify and reflect His glory so that others might also seek salvation in Him. He is calling you to reflect His light in a way that points others to find the light source: the Son.

“Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

At some point in a woman’s pregnancy, it becomes virtually impossible to hide her bump. It is obvious to anyone who sees her that she is carrying a child. Her joy is apparent and her “glow” is radiant. The Season of Advent should evoke the same things in us as we welcome and anticipate the coming of Jesus into our lives each day.

It is obvious to everyone around you that you are carrying the Lord with you?

Who do you know that reflects God’s glory? What about them makes the Lord present?

Do you bring light into the world and into the lives of others?

Are others better able to see God because of the way you live your life?

 If those questions are convicting, remember that Advent is not yet over.

Our joy is not yet here or complete.

There is still time to prepare, to move closer to the Son to better reflect His light.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing…” – Isaiah 9:1-2

Fiat. May it be done.

Fiat lux. Let there be light…in my life and in yours, and in the entire world.

That can only truly happen if we reflect the light of Christ to others.

Get closer and closer to the Son.

Reflect the light of Christ.

Proclaim His glory.

Magnify His presence,

and all souls will rejoice.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist. 

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, December 17th, 2023, which is The Third Sunday of Advent, “Gaudete Sunday”  - Cycle B: Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54.