Gaudete
The theme of rejoicing coincides with what the Church celebrates on the third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means joy. The Church purposely sets it on the third Sunday as it is sensitive to people's feelings when in waiting, we might find the waiting too long, tiring, and agonizing. ...
Advent III: Rejoice! God Is With Us by Justin Holcomb
More than any other week during the Advent season, Advent III represents a shift in attitude. One moves from hope, repentance, and fear of the coming Judge to rejoicing at the coming of salvation and the kingdom of God as Jesus makes all things new. These Advent rhythms represent shifts that we often experience in our Christian lives. Some days we feel like the injustices in this world are more than we can handle, some days we anguish over our sin, and others we long for the day when God will finally defeat the last great enemy, death. ...
Rejoice in the Lord always! - The Third Sunday of Advent by Carl Olson
Two implicit questions are suggested by the readings: "Are we ready to meet our Savior?" and "Do we recognize Him among us?" Today's responsorial, the twelfth chapter of Isaiah, declares that the great and Holy One of Israel is "among you." ...
Two Waitings by Fr. Paul Scalia
There are two kinds of waiting. There is passive waiting - nothing more than sitting around, tapping your feet, twiddling your thumbs, drumming your fingers, looking at your watch. It suggests a lack of hope and love. It fails to prompt us to action because the object of waiting does not seem worth it. Then there is the kind of waiting full of expectation - the kind that makes us resist any distractions or other loves. ...
Gaudete in Domino semper! By Father Mark
Today's Introit is one of the few drawn from the Epistles of Saint Paul. It is an exhortation to joy, but its mood is quiet and reflective. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer let your petitions be made known to God" (Phil 4:4-6). ...
Why 'Gaudete?' by Br. Hyacinth Marie Cordell, OP
Gaudete and Laetare Sundays express the foretaste of the good things to come that we experience even now. The Church summons us to "look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." ...
Charity for All by Father Edward McIlmail, LC
By calling for charity and justice John wants to prepare the people for the arrival of the Messiah. Without hearts open to others, they would not be able to accept the robust message of Christ. Charity prepares the heart for the seed of the Gospel. ...
What Do We Do? by Dr. Scott Hahn
Each of us is being called to stand in that crowd and hear the "good news" of John's call to repentance. We should examine our lives, ask from our hearts as they did: "What should we do?" ...
Third Sunday of Advent: Joy and the Baptist by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.
The Baptist was joyful because he was humble. In fact, he shows us the true nature of this virtue. Humility is not beating up on yourself, denying that you have any gifts, talents, or importance. John knew he had an important role which he played aggressively, with authority and confidence. ...
More Joy in Suffering Than in Enjoyments
The Lord commands us not only to rejoice sometimes, but to rejoice always (Phil 4:4). This does not mean we rejoice over all things, but that we rejoice in the Lord under all circumstances. Because the Lord is our Joy and the circumstances are not, we can rejoice in the midst of "the distress of many trials" (1 Pt 1:6). ...
Meditation on Philippians 4:4-7
St. Paul in the second reading calls us to "Rejoice in the Lord always." During Advent, we should rejoice not only in the coming of our Lord as a baby at Bethlehem, but his coming into our hearts as well. The assurance of the fullness of salvation in Christ’s second coming should also cause us to rejoice. How well are you able to "Rejoice in the Lord" when faced with the difficulties of the current world situation? ...
A Life That Bears Fruit in Keeping With Repentance
If we desire Christ's life and salvation, we too must change our lives. Not only must we accept Jesus as Savior, we must also – by the conversion of our lives – obey Him as Lord. God asks us to act justly toward one another: He has showed you. O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Mic 6:8). ...
The Blessed Mother and Advent Part 3: Theotokos sums up all that Mary is by Carl E. Olson
Possessing perfect faith, itself a gift from God, Mary was overshadowed by God the Father, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and filled by the Son. She was chosen by God to bear the God-man, the One in whom the "whole fullness of deity" would dwell. Completely filled by God, she is completely holy. Chosen by God, she is saved. ...
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