The Sunday Propers: Rorate Sunday

If Gaudete Sunday wanted us to meditate on the nature of joy in encountering Christ, the Fourth Sunday of Advent (also known as Rorate Sunday) offers us a meditation on evangelization and discipleship.  The Introit begins with what could be called a prophetic utterance.  We join Isaiah in beseeching God that the “dew from the heavens” fall upon us.  In these words we should call to mind the actions of the Prophet Elijah, and what they mean for Christians in light of today’s liturgy.

As a result of her sins, a severe drought and (as a result) famine existed upon the Kingdom of Israel during the days of Elijah the Tishbite.    Elijah had been chosen by God to be His messenger during these trying times, and gave Elijah the power to cause the drought, and also to end it.  When that drought ends, the dew falls upon Israel and nourishes it.

It is in this context that today’s liturgy begins.  Like the prophet, we are calling for the dew from heaven to fall upon the Earth.  Yet unlike the heavenly dew during Elijah’s time, this dew does far more than nourish the body.  The dew comes from “the glory of God” (the sky) and on the earth brings forth a Savior.  This is seen again in the epistle in the story of John the Baptist, whose words proclaimed the coming of Christ.

As we journey through Advent, you may have noticed that the Advent Gospels focus entirely upon John the Baptist.  We focus on John the Baptist because we are called to do what he did.  It is not enough to say that he proclaimed Christ through his words and actions.  The Bible speaks of the Baptist as filling valleys, bringing every mountain low, and every crooked path straight. If we stop to think for a moment, we can see these situations in our own lives.

How many do we know who are seeking God, but feel trapped in despair due to some sin they either committed or were a victim of?  How many poor people have trouble seeking God because they cannot seek the basic needs of life?  If Christianity is to serve any purpose for these people, they need our financial resources via charity, but they need far more.  They need to know that we were not made for despair; they must be raised up so they can see God.

Maybe instead of the valleys, we encounter people on mountains, people who believe they are at the highest point of life, why do they need God?  In many areas of the country today, even the poor have a level of affluence unheard of in society.  What does this say about the wealthy?  Today’s developed world is mostly a world which feels as if God is not necessary.  Maybe instead of physical wealth, you know those who feel they are spiritually wealthy, and feel nothing but emotional fulfillment.  Why would they need God?  They feel great as is.  We need to remember that while it is a strong feeling, it is just that, a feeling.  It is not real.  There are problems in society that cannot be solved by affluence alone, and that even the happiest of people are still lacking something.  We need to bring these people out of their comfort so that they can truly look at themselves and realize that something is missing without God.

The third path that we need to change can be the most difficult.  These are individuals who are on the level path.  They see the need for God, but they are unsure of how to get there.  To arrive, they go through a variety of routes that God didn’t want them to.  Instead of the straight (but sometimes difficult) path, they have chosen a crooked path which, though it appears easier, actually becomes harder.  There is the old joke of a man who refuses to ask for directions because he thinks he knows the way when he gets lost.  Predictably, they become even more lost because of his ad hoc sense of direction.

Does this not describe the Church today?  We are on the same journey the rest of the Earth is in seeing God.  But many times we Catholics want to encounter Christ on our own terms, and through our own journey.  We see this not just in lax faithful, but in priests, bishops, cardinals, patriarchs and sadly even a few popes throughout history.  Far too often we seek to proclaim something other than which God wants proclaimed.  Instead of Christ, we proclaim ourselves. While we are to proclaim Christ to others during Advent, it is good to remember that Christ be proclaimed also to each other.  The Epistle tells us all flesh will see the salvation of God, and that includes us Catholics.

The rest of the liturgy gives us two ways in which we can have the assurance of being authentic disciples of Christ.  The Epistle tells us that the path to proclaiming Christ is through our own personal fidelity, not our judgments of others.  Instead, judge ourselves, and fidelity to Christ is our standard.  Awhile back our Holy Father uttered the words “Who am I to judge”, and they caused much confusion in the Church and the world.  While one can lament the confusion caused (and sometimes share in that confusion), I think this is what the Pope was getting at.  Our job is not to judge others, that is God’s job.  Our job is to proclaim His message to them.  If we must judge anyone, we need to make sure we ourselves are conducting ourselves properly.

Does this mean that we ignore sinful behavior?  It doesn’t, and I think the contemporary Church needs to reflect on that answer more.  St. Paul tells us that the most important trait of an evangelist is fidelity to the Gospel.  What does the Gospel tell us?  The gospel ultimately tells us that sinful lifestyles not only make it impossible to inherit the Kingdom of God, but they make it impossible to find even a sliver of true happiness here on earth.  True happiness only happens once we live the life God has called us to live.  You can’t live that life when you are in serious sin.  If we neglect to convey that aspect of the Apostolic message, then we are lying to them, and that is a strike against fidelity, and that is what we will be judged on.

To assist us in seeking this path of fidelity, the Offertory reminds us that we have a living example of this fidelity:  The Blessed Virgin Mary.  She lived a life of always pointing others to Christ and to His message.  While the Scriptures do not mention much of her private life, we know via tradition that tenderness and care is what she is known for.  Christ made her mother of all Christians, and what mother lacks tenderness and care?  Yet care is more than just a loving sentiment.  Care wants to see someone thrive and prosper, and you cannot do that without following all Christ commands.  This is why Mary is always saying to the Church and to the world”do whatever He tells you.”

As we near the Christmas season, we should use this as a time to begin our efforts at evangelization anew.  Today’s liturgy gives us the path to become a better evangelist, and also examples (John the Baptist, Mary) on how to make that sentiment a reality.

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Kevin Tierney is the Associate Editor of the Learn and Live the Faith Section at Catholic Lane. He and his family live in Brighton, MI. Connect with him via FB  or on twitter @CatholicSmark.

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