Pastor's Message

3rd Sunday of Advent

   “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice; Indeed, the Lord is near.”  Philippians 4.4   

          “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice; Indeed, the Lord is near.”

           This is the entrance antiphon in all the Masses celebrated this third Sunday of Advent; it is a call to rejoice. This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin verb Gaudere; “to rejoice.” The Church is calling on her sons and daughters to be joyful. The question then can be asked; why be joyful? 

           In Exodus chapter 33, when the Lord, in his great generosity summoned Moses, his friend into his presence, Moses was there for forty days and nights. Towards the end of the visitation, Moses pleaded with God to show him his face; “Lord, show me your glory.” The Lord responded, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, … but … you cannot see my face; for no man shall see me, and live.” 

          At Christmas, this privilege that was denied Moses was granted to humanity for in the face of Baby Jesus we see the Face of God. This is why; we should rejoice as we prepare to encounter God’s greatest gift; Christ our Savoir.

         God loves us and this is expressed by Isaiah, the prophet in the first reading. Isaiah reveals to us, that even creation rejoices in its maker. Isaiah encourages us to uplift the weak, those whose knees are feeble; those whose hearts are fearful; “Say to them; be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.”  

         Yes, this is the cause of our unhindered joy; God is in our midst, in the person of Christ Jesus.

         Jesus in the Gospel reading today, affirms that he is the fulfillment of God’s promise. This is, in answer, to his John the Baptist’s question; “Are you the One who is to come, or should we wait for another?”

          Jesus replied, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind received their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.”

          Jesus revealed to John, the Baptist, that he is the fulfillment Isaiah 35:1-6; “Behold your God will come … He will come and save you … the eyes of the blind will be opened”

          The One who has come among us, to save us, is God. May we find Joy, a new, in this realization.

          In the opening prayer of today’s Mass we asked, “that we may attain the joys of so great a salvation and celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.” May, Christ bless you with his peace that we may be always joyful.

          “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice.”

                                                                                                                                                †