This is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday (Gaw day tay which means Rejoice!). This is the Sunday that the PINK candle is lit on the Advent wreath. It is our reminder that in this season of repentance and preparation we should rejoice because the day is approaching when the Lord will come. We are rejoicing for both the BIRTH of our savior and His return a second time when he will set all things to right and rule the nations!
Our first reading is again from the book of Isaiah. It’s a great reading which epitomizes the joy we should be celebrating this Sunday, and throughout Advent. Good news for the poor! Christ is coming! “My heart is filled with joy, for God has given me the clothes of salvation.” I don’t think you can sound more joyful than that! The entire reading is about the coming of Christ and what this will mean for all people: The healing of those in need and suffering and the bringing of justice to all nations. Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! That is the BIG focus of this Sunday, Gaudete Sunday! Light that pink candle and rejoice for the coming of the Lord!
The Gospel reading is again from John and we read more about John the Baptist. John is the voice crying in the desert…he is the one who prepares the way for the Lord. He is the witness who came to tell the world about Jesus, the light who will dispel darkness and sin. When asked by the Pharisees to explain who he is, John tells them that he is not the Messiah but that he is the one Isaiah wrote about who is the voice crying in the desert proclaiming “Make a straight path for our God!” We read this last week. John is the one who baptizes with water to prepare the people for the Messiah who will baptize with the Holy Spirit!
WE, like John, are witnesses. What is a witness? It is someone who has seen something and then tells others about it. All Christians are witnesses for Christ. It is part of our baptism to “witness” to the world through words and deeds and to follow the one most important commandment that Jesus gave to us: “Love one another as I have loved you!” Jesus brought good news, which we call the Gospel. That good news was salvation and that salvation was Jesus himself who would be the sacrificial lamb for all mankind. We are instructed by Jesus to spread the “good news” to everyone so that they may know Jesus and thus be saved. We are also called to care for one another as if we were caring for Christ himself! Remember that Jesus said whatever we do for someone in need it is the same as doing it for Him! Caring for others in this fashion is another way to be a witness to Jesus.
Reiterate the symbolism of the Advent wreath (candles/light=Jesus, who is the light of the world who will remove darkness and sin; the evergreen circle=everlasting life; seedpods, nuts or cones=resurrection; fruit=fruitfulness of the Christian life) and encourage the children to participate in an Advent activity like a wreath, or a candle or calendar. If they are not engaging in those activities, they should be encouraged to be a living wreath themselves! They can be the light, and they can witness to all the things Jesus means to mankind (light, everlasting life, resurrection, etc.) and be joyful, thankful and rejoice!
The Responsorial Psalm this week is My Soul Rejoices: click on #101728 and the words are at the bottom of the page.
This song, by Matt Maher, is an awesome setting for Isaiah 61, our first reading Isaiah 61 and I strongly encourage you to give it a listen!! Click on the player #100319 and words are at the bottom! Awesome song! Enjoy!
Peace and Joy In Christ,
Elaine