There's a funny dichotomy going on between the historical importance of this day in the liturgical calendar and the images presented in the gospel for today's liturgy. The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known (in Latin circles) as Gaudete Sunday - the Sunday of great joy.
I don't quite remember where I learned about the meaning of this day, but somewhere in the recesses of grey matter, I seem to recall that the thinking goes something like this: Advent is a season of joyful anticipation as we prepare for the birthday of our Saviour. Like the joy of anticipating a major party, birthday or other celebration, the excitement about the approaching festival of Christmas continues to build until we burst into song with the Christmas antiphon Gloria in Excelsis Deo. But we're not quite at Christmas Day yet.
In the meanwhile, the liturgy takes a little turn today, and we add the light of the pink candle in the Advent wreath to the two other purple ones as a sign that the joy of anticipation is about to bust out all over.
In contrast with this excessive joy, the portrait painted by the words of John the Baptist in the gospel for this day is one of doubt and questioning. To be sure, doubt is at the heart of all questions of faith, and the questions posed by the Baptist might very well be not far from our own musings at times.
My reflection for this weekend is entitled Is this all there is? As always, you can read the text on our parish website or you can listen to the podcast.
Oh, while I'm on the subject, greetings and wishes for joy are abounding these days. Check out the Christmas message issued by the Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie and the one issued this week by the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
For those who are already looking ahead to the New Year, the Holy Father's message for the 41st World Day of Peace, customarily observed on January 1 each year has also been published this week. As far as I know, none of these messages is available in podcast format yet, so maybe there is something to hope for ....
Happy reading!
1 comment:
WOW! Thank you so much for this reflection. The timing was perfect as usual and the message right on.
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