Happy Gaudete (REJOICE!) Sunday!
Throughout the whole world the Third
Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday” or “Rejoice
Sunday”. The idea is that as we journey
through advent, like the shepherds, following the bright star
to the birth of Jesus, we remind
ourselves that we are almost there! Drawing closer and closer to the
celebration of Jesus’ birth should lead
us to be joyful! If it does not lead us to be joyful then we need
to take some time to reflect upon why
it does not: has this Advent season become overly busy and
stressful? What things have become the
most important in my life (and supplanted God)? Am I in love
with God? Do I really believe that God
loves me with reckless abandon and wants to be with me and
embrace me?
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| ...if the Pope in pink doesn't say REJOICE then I don't know what does! |
The Jesuit Saint Pierre Teilhard de
Chardin said that Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.
On this Gaudete Sunday we are asked to
renew our love of God and to CELEBRATE that love so well that
we might be a sign of God’s presence to
our friends, family and to everyone they meet. They should
know we are Christians by our joy!
Third Sunday of Advent Prayer
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever
faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church: the earth
rejoices in hope of the Savior’s coming
and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts and remove the
sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his
presence will bestow, for he is Lord
for ever and ever. Amen. (Loyola Press)
