Dear Parishioners:
This Third Sunday of Advent is known as "Gaudete Sunday." Its name is from the entrance antiphon of the Mass, which is: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near." This antiphon is from Philippians, and in Latin, the first word of the antiphon is "Gaudete."
For much of the Church's history, this Sunday has been called "Gaudete" Sunday. The traditions surrounding this Sunday go back as far as the fourth or fifth century, as does the season of Advent itself. Advent is the season of preparing for the arrival of the Lord Jesus (both his first coming and his second coming), and by the third Sunday of Advent, we are most of the way through the season. Thus it is appropriate to rejoice as we see the goal of the season approaching: "The Lord is near."
On Gaudete Sunday, the season of Advent shifts its focus. For the first two weeks of Advent, the focus is, "The Lord is coming." But beginning with Gaudete Sunday, it focuses upon, "The Lord is near." A heightened sense of joyous anticipation marks this shift. Liturgically, the colors lighten, and the priest wears rose-colored vestments, a hue seen only on Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday during Lent. On this day, we light the third candle of the Advent wreath, which is also rose-colored.
The word "Gaudete" is Latin for "Rejoice." When the focus of our anticipation is often on the negative and fearful, this celebration is a reminder that God who loves us is still in charge and that we await his coming not with fear and dread but with tremendous faith and joy. As St. Paul reminds us: "Brothers and sisters: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
So, why do we need a reminder to rejoice on the Third Sunday of Advent? Because the happiness that comes from holiday festivities, fun gatherings with friends, and a full belly is not the same thing as Christian joy. Pope Francis explains the difference between happiness and joy: "To be happy is good, yet joy is something more. It's another thing, something which does not depend on external motivations, or on passing things: it is more profound. It is a gift. 'To be 'happy at all moments, at all cost,' can at the end turn into superficiality and shallowness. This leaves us without Christian wisdom, which makes us dumb, naïve, right? All is joy. No, joy is something else; it is a gift from the Lord."
If joy is a gift from the Lord, then the Lord Himself is our first and greatest gift and the only one that will never tarnish or break or fade. Gaudete Sunday reminds us that the gift has not yet arrived, but it's very near. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again, Rejoice!" Gaudete Sunday is a moment to stop and reflect on the source of real joy. And if the Advent season has brought causes for stress and sorrow into our life, then lighting the rose candle is an opportunity to take heart and refocus with joy upon Christ.
As you've seen in the media, a COVID vaccine seems to be coming soon. This past week we received a letter from Bishop Tobin and guidance from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops about the vaccine. There were some questions and confusion if the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna were morally permissible to use.
However, the USCCB states: "Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccine involved the use of cell lines that originated in fetal tissue taken from the body of an aborted baby at any level of design, development, or production." And while we welcome the vaccine, questions remain about the priority in determining who receives the vaccine. Also, questions remain about how it is to be distributed justly and equitably around the world, especially in poorer nations. I have posted the statement on the parish website if you wish to read it.
As we enter this Third Week of Advent and rejoice the "Lord is near," let’s strive to pray with greater devotion, give more generously to the poor and needy, and truly prepare the way with a good Sacramental Confession before Christmas! If we do, then we can genuinely "Rejoice in the Lord!"
Stay safe. Be Well. Do Good. God Bless. Oremus pro invicem.