GAUDETE SUNDAY

Rejoice always.

“Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him,

“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?

What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,‘” as Isaiah the prophet said.” Jn. 1:21-23 Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord. Today is Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. It is Rose Sunday. When we think of what God has done for us, we must give Him thanks and praise. We recognize them as priests, ministers, deacons, servants, holy men, and women. Servants and messengers, like John the Baptist, are sinners, but they have come to serve, to let Jesus be the first in the world. We must think that Jesus had great regard for his cousin, John. Did He and John play together as children or hunt? Perhaps. Today is a day that is different than any other day. We have cause to rejoice for the Anointed Son of God to renew His birthday.

The voice in the wilderness calls us a deep faith in Christ. Through the one baptism, we have repentance of sins. John is not God, nor does he have the power to forgive sins, but by baptizing people, he opened up hearts to new faith. John preached ‘REPENT and BELIEVE.’ John waited for God to send a savior. John’s baptism is the first step of faith. But the Holy Spirit will descend and confirm this faith. Baptism of water frees the soul of original sin and opens up the heart to new life. Baptism of water alone is not just for the forgiveness of sin but to welcome in Christ and the Holy Spirit to renew us as children of the Father. So John tells the Pharisees, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” Jn. 1:26-27 

Faith, joy and the Holy Spirit’s workings are reasons to rejoice. St. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, reminds us it is right to give praise and thanks to God in all circumstances. “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thes. 5:16-19 God sows the seeds of faith within us, and the power of the Holy Spirit brings life to it. We become the caretakers of this gift of faith to assure our eternal life of the gifts God bestows on us. The Holy Spirit plants the seeds of faith, hope, and joy. Storms may arise, and hard days tear at us, but the roots of faith shall not be disturbed. Jesus has promised to protect and defend our faith and joy. Repentance is needed to renew the days of dryness or neglect. Rain comes as tears from heaven to water us. And the hand of God comes and tills the soil around us. Therefore, trust and patience in the workings of the Holy Spirit lead to joy. REJOICE! 

If you have not done so lately, tell those around you that you give thanks to God for them. Offer joy to those who see the hardness of life. Offer peace to those who are burdened. Let those around you know that prayers and kindness shall be your promise to God in their name. That is what we call Gaudete Sunday. REJOICE.