Pastor's Message

                    3rd Sunday of Advent 

                     “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near."      Philippians4.4-5

         This is the Entrance antiphon of all the Masses, this third Sunday of Advent and it is a call to rejoice. This Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin verb “gaudere;” to rejoice! The Word of God invites us to his consolation and this is the theme, this Sunday of Advent:

        “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the Joy of my soul” “For he has clothed me with robe of Salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of Justice.”

         Brother and sisters: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the Will of God for you in Christ Jesus! St Paul reminds the Philippians to be joyful in the Lord. Yes, we are to rejoice, and the question is; why rejoice? Because God has revealed to us the magnitude of his generosity and love.

         In Exodus 33, Moses, the Friend of God, pleaded with Him in the words; “Please, Lord, Show me your glory.”  God responded; “I will make all my goodness pass before you, … I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion; But … You cannot see my Face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” Ex. 33:19

         With Christmas the Face of God is seen in Face of Baby Jesus. He is Emmanuel; “God with us!”

         In the hymn of hope, in the 1^st Reading, Zephaniah prophesied, Jerusalem emerging from the ashes of destruction through the power of God. In the hymn, Zephania, foresaw the day when the love of God would reach its apex; in the coming of the Messiah. Jerusalem will rejoice not only because it will have been rebuilt, but because God would be in their midst; “On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem; Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst.”

         In the Gospel reading today, John the Baptism professes that he is part of that fulfillment of Isaiah Prophesy but quickly reveals that another, other than Himself was present among them; “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worth to untie the thong of his sandals.”

         Christ Jesus, is the One who is the Fulfillment of the Promise. He is as described by Angel Gabriel at the annunciation The Son of The Most High. He is Emmanuel God among us.  Eden all over again! Let us rejoice then!

         We rejoice because, this has been made known to us; God lives among His People. We Rejoice because we’ve been made sharers in his life; in the Words of   Prophet Isaiah; we have been “clothed (through Christ) with the garment of Salvation, covered with the robe of righteousness.

         We rejoice because we’ve been made witnesses of God’s love and hope, to our brothers and sisters who thirst for him!  

         Let us pray then, that we may experience joy in God; who comes among us, in a special way, this Christmas. Amen.