3rd Sunday of Advent

The 3rd Sunday of Advent traditionally is known as Gaudete Sunday.  The term Gaudete means rejoice in Latin, a word that appears in the entrance antiphon of Masses held today: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.  The rose-colored Advent candle we light reminds us that our time of waiting is almost over – there are only nine days left in Advent.

REJOICE!  Isaiah tells us because “those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy” (Is. 35:10).  REJOICE!  Jesus tells John the Baptist’s disciples because “the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Matt.11:5).  REJOICE!  St. James tells the waiting Christians “because the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:8).  REJOICE!  Because Jesus Christ tells us that although “among those born of women  there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matt. 11:11).

REJOICE, because we are the people who inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.  We are greater than John the Baptist because we have seen the full revelation of God’s love through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  John the Baptist came to direct us to a greatness he would never experience.  Jesus, the Messiah, came to save us.  REJOICE!  

God of peace,

Whose word is
   good news for the oppressed,
   healing for the brokenhearted,
   and freedom for all who are held bound;
gladden our hearts
and fashion the earth into a garden of righteousness and praise.
    Sanctify us in spirit, soul and body,
so that we may generously prepare the way
for your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who was, who is and who is to come,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

AMEN