Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

In other years: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas; Saint Finian of Clonard (470-549)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 58:17-29 The Procedure for Receiving Brothers

Mass: Zeph 3:14-18a; Resp Ps (Is 12); Ph 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim His name.

LET US LIVE IN HOLINESS AND LOVE AS WE PATIENTLY AWAIT OUR BLESSED HOPE, THE COMING OF OUR SAVIOR.

(Liturgy of the Hours, Third Sunday of Advent, Evening Prayer II, Antiphon)

Welcome to Gaudete Sunday, and Bambinelli Sunday too, the latter a tradition started by Pope Saint Paul VI over 50 years ago, when children bring little statues of the Child Jesus to Saint Peter's Square to be blessed by the Holy Father. The figurines are then placed in the family Christmas nativity scenes back home. Pope Francis continued the custom at today's Angelus Address in Saint Peter's Square. With Saint Paul then, we proclaim: "Rejoice in the Lord always, I shall say it again: rejoice!" (Ph 4:1).

This blessed season of Advent, this "period of devout and expectant delight", moves along. On this Sunday to rejoice we might ask ourselves how we are doing to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, and at the same time to look forward to His Second Coming. It can become overwhelming as it is easy to stay busy buying gifts, writing Christmas cards, baking, cooking, and so forth. However, it's Sunday so the time to sit quietly and reflect. We are blessed this day with our Gospel in that John the Baptist gives the crowds some practical things to do when they eagerly asked, "What should we do?" (Lk 3:10). You can read for yourself what the Baptizer recommends. I suggest that we look to Saint Benedict for practical things to do in his Chapter 4, the Tools for Good Works. There is a tool for everyone no matter one's state of life, so the craftsman can choose what it best suited to him or her for use at home, at work, school, in community, at play, and again, wherever she finds herself. Before we look at a few of them, you might consider this gesture of neighborly care and support. My sister shared that one of her neighbors offered to help her hang her Christmas lights. As my sister said, "it was much appreciated and so much easier with two people, and more enjoyable." All it takes is a little kindness.

Now for some practical Tools for Good Works from Saint Benedict. While using any of the tools we remember that "the love of Christ must come before all else (RB 4:21), and also why we use the tools, namely, to help us love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (RB 4:1-2). 

Because "our way of acting should be different from the world's way" (RB 4:20), we must honor everyone, and never do to another what you do not want done to yourself (RB 4:8-9). We visit the sick, and go help the troubled and console the sorrowing (RB 4:16, 18-19). Make a call or write a letter to someone you know who is ill, anxious, or grieving. We bear injuries patiently, love our enemies and if people curse us, we don't curse them back, but bless them instead! (RB 4:31-32). We don't grumble or speak ill of others (RB 4:39-40). We guard our lips from harmful or deceptive speech, and prefer moderation in speech (RB 4:51-53). We respect the elders and love the young, pray for our enemies out of love of Christ, and if we have a dispute with someone, we make peace with her before the sun goes down (RB 4:70-73). That's enough don't you think? You can look to your favorite translation of the Holy Rule for more. Lastly, though, we can only use these tools with the grace of God. Certainly "do not aspire to called holy before you really are, but first be holy that you may more truly be called so" (RB 4:62). 

There are so many blessings in our faith tradition to be thankful for. May we rejoice in them and in one another, united as we are in faith and prayer. 

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE,

SAINT FINIAN OF CLONARD,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Our Advent Wreath, with the Gaudete rose candle shining brightly.

© Gertrude Feick 2021