Gaudete Sunday

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent aka Gaudete Sunday. So how did it get that name, simple, from the Introit (now called the Entrance Antiphon) of the Mass, in Latin, Gaudete (Rejoice). The Introit is taken from Philipians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice." (The current entrance antiphon is a shorter version.)

This Sunday is approximately the halfway point to Christmas. The Church pauses here to remind us that Jesus' coming is near & that should bring us joy. That is why the use of Rose-colored vestments in place of the Violet vestments is also permitted today.

It is also a reminder that we are to await joyfully for the 2nd Coming of Christ, that our lives are ment to be lives of joy. In our lives we have many struggles that try to drag us do, often succeeding. It is so easy for us to get our eyes of of Jesus & His promise to be with us always, caring for & protecting us. It is also easy for us to live as if He will never return, or at the least death is far off. the truth is we don't know for sure when each of us will die or when Jesus will return. So we need to be constantly ready for His return.

This doesn't mean you or I quit or job & live on a mountain awaiting the end. Being ready means being about the mission God has given to you. At times it may be as mundane as doing your job well, cooking, washing the car, etc. It means being a good wife, husband, parent, child, employee, employer. It means finding the time for prayer, the time for sleep, for laughter, for caring, helping the needy. In other words it means being a follower of Jesus no matter where you are or what you are doing. By living your life as a Christian every minute will be a witness to others of the Gospel message. As St. Francis of Assis is supposed to have said: "Preach the Gospel always, use words when neccesary.

It also means living a life of repentance. Each of us sins & needs to turn away from those sins. Each of us has things in our life that we need to change. Here is where we need to turn to Christ & ask for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to enable us to change & live as we should. Without the power of the Holy Spirit we can never do all we are called to do, we can never change our sinful habits, we can never be transformed into the persons we are ment to be.

When we are living the way God Calls us to we are following the advice found in today's Gospel (Luke 3: 10 - 18 ) given by John the Baptist. We are not living merely for our own gain, we are not building up an excess beyond our needs while others starve. We are using our gifts & talents to build the Kingdom & glorify God. John warned that the Messiah would come with a winnowing fork & fire. Someday we will stand before God in judgement. Scripture tells us that at that time our deeds will be tested as by fire. If we are following Christ we needn't fear this fire for we will have already passed through the fire of purification. What is left will be purified & give glory to God.

As I said earlier, being about living the way we are supposed to we will have struggles. The 1st 2 readings & responsorial Psalm remind us to be joyful despite outword appearances. The 1st reading from Zepheniah (3: 14 - 18) calls us to rejoice in the victory that we will have. It says we may not see it now, but God's promise to be in our midst is true. Fear has no place in our lives. Instead we are to be filled with the joy of the assurance that God is a warrior who will bring about all the victories we need. It is much more also, it tells us that when we allow God to care for & protect us, when we allow Him to transform us He rejoices. In fact the reading makes it sound like He throws a party (shades of the prodigal son & loving father) to celebrate.

The 2nd reading is Philipians 4:4-7 is the Introit from the old Mass. Paul tells us that living this joyful life is a witness to others & a sign of Christ's returning. He also reminds us that we are to ask for God's help in the midst of those struggles we face. God will then give us a peace beyond anything human understanding can comprehend. & it is an assurance that we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as I have already described.

As a whole today's readings remind us that salvation is much more than merely forgiveness of sins. Yes, that is a key part of it but not the whole. Salvation is coming into the abundant life we are called to live. The reasponsorial Psalm for today (Isaiah 12: 2 - 6) sums this up perfectly. It starts by reminding us that God is our salvation & we are to go to Him for it. Because He is our salvation we can trust in Him to care for us & protect us. Our response is to be one of joy & thanksgiving. & that joy that is a part of who we our will shine forth as a witness to others. As we live this life of joy, others will see the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, they will see us trusting in God in the midst of trials & be drawn to Christ. When asked about why we are joyful we are called to be witnesses (Here is where the words come in.).

In a way all of this is a circle, as we rejoice we will trust in God more. As we trust in God more, we will allow Him to work more in our lifes transforming us, removing sin, using us to glorify His name. As that happens we will rejoice more. As we rejoice more, well you get the picture.

So, in conclusion I join with St Paul in saying to you on Gaudete Sunday:

"REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS! AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!"