Cycle A - Year I:  

11 December 2022: Third Sunday of Advent 

(Liturgical Color: Pink or Rose)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 35:1-6, 10

Second Reading:   James 5:7-10

Gospel:  Please Read  Matthew 11:2-11 

Let's begin to rejoice!

We are now in the middle of our Advent pilgrimage and today's liturgy urges us to begin rejoicing in anticipation of the big event that is Christmas Day.

That is why the third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday or the Sunday of rejoicing. "Gaudete" is a Latin word which means "rejoice"! There is a change in the liturgical color of the priest's vestments and the altar cloth to either pink or rose, a break from the Advent color of violet or purple.

As we joyfully await the feast of the Lord's birth the theme of joy pervades the liturgy and the readings this Sunday.

The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah reminds us that the presence of the Lord brings joy to the whole creation. Isaiah's prophecies are all about anticipation of salvation and preparation for the suffering Servant who will deliver it.

In the second reading, St. James exhorts Christians to endure with patience all hardship and trials until the coming of the Lord.

The Gospel narrative is still on John the Baptist. This time, he was in prison because of his preaching about the Messiah. Although incarcerated John showed joyful spirit as he continued to give witness to Jesus, and to point others to the Lamb of God.  He lived his life entirely to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord, although John never had the earthly consolation of having witnessed our Lord Jesus complete His earthly ministry. 

John's zeal for Jesus would not be contained by prison walls. While in prison John knew his death was imminent. But rather than in despair, John 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)  

But Jesus did not give a direct answer to John's disciples. Instead He points to His public ministry, and said 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)   Jesus is really saying "The works that I am doing are my witness!"  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.

Do we also seek Jesus in our time, and why do we seek Him out?  Do we go to Him because we believe in Jesus? Do we regularly spend time with our Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist?

Our perfect present for Christmas is Jesus Himself, waiting for us to come to Him, like John's disciples in today's Gospel reading. For Jesus is our Savior, a Friend and our Guide to the heavenly home.

NOW is the time to let our hearts rejoice in gladness, as we near the end of our Advent journey, and anticipate with great joy the Lord's coming on Christmas Day.  Rejoice and be glad because the birth of the Messiah is so close at hand!

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!