Theme: JOY
We are now into the third week of our Advent journey. The third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice. We light a pink/rose candle in the Advent wreath in Church, and the Celebrant at Mass wears pink/rose vestments as well. Joy is the clear emphasis here. Having started our preparation to welcome baby Jesus in week one, we made peace with ourselves and with God in week two. Now we are getting closer to Christmas and God wants us to praise and rejoice in Him.
The Entrance Antiphon joyfully sets the tone for today’s Eucharistic celebration: “REJOICE in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” ~ Philippians 4:4-5 ~ So with hearts filled with gratitude and joy let our souls glorify the Lord, let our spirit rejoice in God, our Saviour. And for the rest of Advent, let us try our very best to keep safe and blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called us and he will not fail us.