Third Sunday of Advent

We enter into the third Week of Advent, with a day of rejoicing. The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, a word which means “Rejoice!” because our Savior will soon be here.

In the midst of the insanity that is December, many times it can seem difficult to be joyful. With the centrality of the figure of John the Baptist in our Gospel today we find a call to recognize that the Savior is indeed here:

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.

Rejoice!

But we, who are so distracted by so much, usually cannot recognize Jesus and the miracles He is doing in our lives. So instead of being joyful, we are desolate, frustrated, despairing and bored.

My challenge for myself and for all of us in the remaining weeks of Advent is to unplug: put away your phone, turn off the TV, leave your laptop in the car.

Take time to pray, to listen, to reflect.
Read the prophet Isaiah.
Take time to pray the Rosary with your family or friends.
Sing Advent Carols like “O Come Divine Messiah” and “O Come O Come Emmanuel.”
Make plans to join us at our parish Penance Service this Monday, December 16th at 5:30pm.

Rejoice, because your Savior is near!