Chapter Chaplain's Homily Reflection - HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

.HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN
This weekend, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice Sunday). The word "rejoice" appears in three of our four readings today. The first reading begins with the words "Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion, sing joyfully O Israel" (Zeph 3:14). The responsorial song follows this command with a refrain: "Cry out with joy and gladness for among you is the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 12:6). St. Paul invites the Philippian Church in the second reading thus: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice" (Phil 4:4). While the Gospel does not contain the word 'rejoice', yet it tells us how to achieve this joy through the teachings of John the Baptist on repentance and charity.
A little historical background will help us understand more this "joy" that should characterize God's people as Zephaniah prophesied. At a time when the Jews were immersed in religious and moral decay with no intention to change, God called Zephaniah to denounce Israel and ask the people to repent or face destruction on the Day of Judgment. In today's first reading, Zephaniah looked far ahead of this imminent destruction to the time of peace when God would come and dwell in Jerusalem as a Mighty Savior.
During this restoration, he commanded Zion to sing with joy and rejoice with gladness because the Lord had taken away their punishment and replaced their fear with the assurance of his own Presence. God has forgiven her iniquities, which are detailed earlier in the book, namely, syncretism (1:4-6), complacency (1:12), corrupt leaders (3:3-4), and injustice (3:1, 5). And not only is "daughter Zion" forgiven, but the Lord himself is with her – a great reason for the joy of the people.
The first part of this joy of liberation was fulfilled through King Syrus, who conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to the Promised Land. The second part of this joy of liberation is what the prophet Zephaniah used to describe the salvation that is yet to come, which the Messiah will usher in. This, in turn, was accomplished when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and the Angels told the shepherds watching their sheep: "I bring you good news of great joy – a joy to be shared by all. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord" (Luke 2:10).
For John, this joy is not the one that comes from sentimental longings, routine prayers, or eating and drinking but from repentance. John's message was so powerful that it made the people begin to ask what they should do to be saved. In his answer, the Baptist said: "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise." To the tax collectors, he answered: "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." With this, John the Baptist called the people to moral reformation and conversion and, subsequently, to joy and peace.
Like people expecting the coming of the Lord, we too need to undergo a transformation and repentance to experience the joy of the Lord's Presence in our midst. We, too, need to give services that are right and just and share with people in need to provoke joy in them and in ourselves. When this is done, we will realize that Christmas joy is not a celebration of success and victory but an experience of personal transformation from sin. We will also realize that Advent is not about going back to better times but about experiencing the person of Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, let us heed St. Paul, who says: "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess 5:16-18).