Cycle A - Year I:  

11 December 2016: Third Sunday of Advent

(Liturgical color: Pink or rose)

Gospel: Please read  Matthew 11:2-11

Anticipating joy!

We are mid-way in our Advent pilgrimage, and the liturgy for this Sunday wants us to rejoice because it is very near to the big event that is Christmas day.

The Church celebrates Gaudete Sunday or the Sunday of rejoicing (from the Latin word "gaudete" meaning "rejoice!") The entrance antiphon in the Mass begins with St. Paul's exhortation: "Rejoice in the Lord always!" (Phil 4:4) The liturgical color for this Sunday is either pink or rose, a break from the Advent color of violet.

The theme of joy pervades the liturgy and the readings, as we faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that the presence of the Lord brings joy to the whole creation. St. James, in the second reading, exhorts Christians to endure with patience all hardship and trials until the coming of the Lord. This is a timely message in the midst of disturbing and challenging political and social situations in our country at these times.

In the Gospel account, John the Baptist is in prison because of his

preaching about the Messiah.  But although incarcerated John showed joyful spirit as he continued to give witness to Jesus, to point others to the Lamb of God. His zeal for Jesus would not be contained by prison walls. He lived his life entirely to prepare the people for the coming   of the Lord, although he never received the earthly consolation of having seen Jesus complete His earthly ministry.

While in prison John knew that his death was imminent. But rather than in despair, he wanted his disciples to come into the care of Jesus when he is gone. So John sent them to Jesus with this question: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" (Mt 11:3)

Jesus did not give them a direct answer but points instead to His public ministry.  Jesus said to John's disciples in  reply: "Go and tell John of 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." (Mt 11:4-5) Our Lord was really saying "The works that I am doing are my witness!"  In other words, Jesus confirms by His deeds that He is indeed the awaited One, the Messiah who has brought good news to the poor and the oppressed. 

As we near the end of our Advent journey, let our hearts rejoice in gladness as we anticipate with great joy the Lord's coming on Christmas day. Especially on this Gaudete Sunday, let us begin the rejoicing because the birth of our Messiah is so close at hand.

In sum, let us invite God's people. in the Eucharist at Mass,  to meet the Lord with joy and gladness, and offer as well the gift of Christian hope and joy to all our brothers and sisters.

A blessed Christmas to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!