Christ Our Light Catholic Church - Loudonville, NY

December 14 and December 15
Third Sunday of Advent

From Deacon Dick~ 

ADVENT 2024 - HERALDS OF HOPE          

“Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Phil 4:4-5)

Perhaps St. Paul thought the Philippians would not respond to his invitation to rejoice, so he repeats it to make certain they get the point.  On this Third Sunday of Advent, you and I are also invited to rejoice… I say it again …. rejoice.  Today is known as Gaudete (Rejoicing) Sunday.  It is a time of joyful expectation and so we light the rose candle in the Advent wreath. 

When I was in diaconate formation our director, Fr. Joe Cotugno, would always greet us and bid us farewell with the words:  “Peace, Love, and Joy.”  Those words still ring in my heart whenever I think of Fr. Joe … a Herald of Hope … who constantly reminded us of Jesus eternal offer.

What do we mean by this notion of joy?  Isn’t it the same as happiness?  In a word … no.  Happiness is fleeting; joy is enduring.  Happiness brings us gladness and pleasure; joy brings us Peace.  Happiness is only skin deep; joy penetrates the soul.  Happiness makes us feel good; joy emerges through our suffering.   Happiness is about winning; joy is about surrendering ourselves to God.

We experience deep joy when allow Jesus to penetrate the most intimate recesses of our soul.  It is then that we begin to learn that true Peace is not having all that you want, but wanting what you have.  It is then that you and I can BE PEACE in the worlds in which God has placed us. It is then that we will celebrate with great joy the coming of the Prince of Peace!