Wellspring of the Gospel

 

Year C: Third Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-18

 

If anyone ever suggests to you that God and those who believe in him are meant to be gloomy and perpetually solemn, you could point them to this reading. God’s people are told to rejoice and exult - and, even more dramatically, that the Lord will “exult with joy” - “he will dance with shouts of joy”.

 

This is a far cry from the God many people are introduced to - a God who is vindictive and watches every move - who is quick to punish and slow to love. It is small wonder that people either reject such a god - or serve him in fear.

 

God does judge evil from good - and wants his people to live in holiness and obedience to his Law. But the Law is not meant to force people into subjection and misery - it is a guide to life which brings security and prosperity to God’s people.

 

The God we meet in today’s reading is a God who loves and delights in his people. This is a God who liberates and shares the joy of those whom he has set free. A graven idol cannot save people - and certainly cannot dance with them. Our God is a God who does both.

 

The reading, as throughout Advent, has God celebrating with the whole people - the whole community gathers around the God in their midst. This shared jubilation is an important reminder that we are part of a great community of faith reaching back into Jewish history and on into a future that has not been revealed. The God who was at work among the people of Zephaniah’s time is at work among us too. Our joy at seeing the things that God has done echoes shouts of joy from generation to generation.

 

As people who are preparing for the parousia (the Second Coming of Jesus), we are given a glimpse of what that may be like. Yes, we will greet a victorious and glorious Lord - but one who comes among us and dances with us and joins in the songs of joy at our own salvation.

 

What does it mean for me?

Waterlily How does this image of God strike you? How does it fit with how you may have seen God before?

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