Through this season of Advent we are called to prepare for the Lord’s coming by repenting of our sins, removing the obstacles that make it difficult for us to recognize his approach, and remaining ever watchful for his arrival. But today we rejoice (in Latin, gaudete) because we focus on the knowledge that the One whom we await comes to embrace us, transform us, and redeem us. Gathered together in joy, we look forward, as always, to his coming.
Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
On Gaudete Sunday a theme of joy runs through our readings. Isaiah, returning to the promised land after years of exile, describes the wonders God will accomplish. In the psalm we sing that our souls rejoice in our God. Paul closes his letter to the Thessalonians by reminding them to rejoice always. Finally, we hear John the Baptist testify that he is not worthy to even untie the sandal strap of the One who is coming, the light, the Christ. May the joy we hear in God’s word rub off on us.
Reflections
If the first half of the first reading sounds familiar, it may be because this is the passage that Jesus reads in the synagogue at the beginning of his ministry. If you recall, after reading it Jesus proclaims that this scripture passage has been fulfilled in their hearing. Because Jesus is with us as we are gathered here today, Isaiah’s words are fulfilled now as well. Jesus continues to bring glad tidings, healing, justice, favor, and vindication. So we prepare ourselves this Advent as a bride prepares for her wedding, wearing the promise of justice and the hope of salvation and shining with the jewels of generosity and praise.
In darkness, the first need is for light. At any given time the world can be full of darkness, but lately it seems like the darkness threatens to overwhelm us. War abroad. Strife at home. COVID-19. Mass shootings. Natural disasters. And on and on. But into all this darkness comes a light. Not just a light, but the light, the light John testified to. The kingdom of God has drawn near to us in Christ and we respond with joy when we realize that he comes to us, for us, and remains with us, even when we’re not conscious of his abiding presence. May we recognize the light of the Lord that is within us and our neighbor as well.
May we be as bold as John the Baptist, who testified to the light but declared that he himself was not the light. Even if we have the light within us, we did not create that light, we did not produce that light. That light comes above and we merely direct it in the way that we live. May we bear witness to the light by directing it upon the darknesses in our world, producing glimmers of goodness.
Question of the Week
How can I recognize and then bear witness to the light that comes from God?
-from Pastoral Patterns
readings of the mass
LISTEN HEREto the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, December 17, 2023
SELECT HEREfor the Readings of Sunday, December 17, 2023
Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS
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yesterdayPope Leo XIV, an avid tennis player and sports fan, marked the start of the Winter Games on Friday by extolling the positive values of sport and fair play while warning that the pursuit of profits...
3 days agoSpeaking during his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV urged people to pray for the people in Ukraine, “who are being severely tested by the consequences of the bombings which have resumed...
4 days agoPope Leo XIV is facing his first major crisis with traditionalist Catholics, after a breakaway group attached to the traditional Latin Mass announced plans to consecrate new bishops without papal...