GAUDETE SUNDAY – THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – 11 DECEMBER 2022

GAUDETE SUNDAY – THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – 11 DECEMBER 2022

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SIGNIFIES JOY

The third candle is called the Shepherd’s Candle. It is pink because rose is a Liturgical color for joy. The Third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the truth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

Mt 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
“What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

REFLECTION FOR GAUDETE SUNDAY 3rd SUNDAY IN ADVENT ~ 11th DECEMBER 2022

So the promise couldn’t be clearer ! What’s prophesised is nothing less than the transformation of the entire world from the least to the greatest of created things. The signs will be self-evident: Wholesale destruction of the environment halted and healed; fertility restored and natural abundance achieved through careful husbandry. Disease and disharmony attributed to divine displeasure in response to sin will be ended. A world and people restored in their communion with God. No cause for self-congratulation among us however: This will be all God’s doing. It is he who will feed the hungry, free those trapped in their sufferings, strengthen the faithful, restore sight, raise the downtrodden, loving the humble and all who seek justice and peace.

Yet what they had was 400 years of promises delayed and hopes thwarted. The people were still waiting. John the Baptist enters but even he is cautious. He’s heard all about Jesus’ preaching and teaching and reaching out to the sick and suffering but he seems to want greater assurance. Then he hears that Jesus had given his disciples a share in his authority to preach and teach and reach out with healing and hope to all the miserable and marginalised; beginning to fulfil those longed-for promises. An early sign of how the Church would continue serving the mission and the ministry of Jesus himself. Could anything be more dramatic and reassuring? This was nothing less than what Jesus proclaimed a little later, the coming of the Kingdom of God !

John is acclaimed by Jesus as the greatest prophet born of woman and so dies having had his concerns about Jesus as Messiah resolved. Surely we must believe that John awakes from death a happy man with a place among the saints !

So, let’s offer a prayer seeking refreshment of our faith and willing cooperation in spreading the Gospel in whatever ways grace leads. Indeed this may be the most welcome gift we can offer Jesus and one another this Christmas.

REJOICE – ALLELUIA !!!

PRAYER

? ???, ??? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ?????????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ????’? ????????, ?????? ??, ?? ????, ?? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ?? ????? ? ????????? ??? ?? ????????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????????.

??????? ??? ???? ????? ??????, ???? ???, ??? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??????, ???, ??? ???? ??? ????. AMEN