Rejoice!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”
These words make up the entrance antiphon for the Mass on this Third Sunday of Advent. The Latin word “Gaudete” means “rejoice.” Thus, we call this day Gaudete Sunday and the Church allows the wearing of rose-colored vestments to signify joy. The Church rejoices because Christmas is near AND because we are ever-closer to the Lord’s return in glory.
Some would say that they are not looking forward to the Lord’s second coming because it will mark the “end of the world” and, after all, that sounds rather scary. Yet we Christians pray daily “thy kingdom come” whenever we recite the Lord’s Prayer. So, are we looking forward to the Lord’s return or not?
I hope the answer to that question is “yes,” even if one might have some anxiety about how the end of the world might come. Is not being with the Lord what salvation is all about? If you have any fear about not being ready for the day when the Lord returns, let that fear motivate you to get ready. I pray this Season of Advent enables you to reflect on the power of mercy and the immensity of divine love. May the words of St. Paul from today’s second reading offer you some consolation:
May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.
It is He who makes us holy. Our task is to stop blocking His efforts. When we realize how much God loves us and wants to save us; how he seeks us wherever we are, how can we not rejoice.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”
Happy Third Sunday of Advent,
