December 13 and 14

Third Sunday of Advent

From Deacon Dick~

Advent Theme-“Welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you.” (Rom 15:7)

           “Gaudete Sunday” takes its common name from the Latin word Gaudete (“Rejoice).  Our Advent Season takes on a different feeling as the Nativity of the Lord draws nearer.  The author of the Letter of James reminds us to “be patient until the coming of the Lord … (yet) make your hearts firm.”  Do our patient hearts rejoice as our anticipation heightens and our preparation intensifies?

          In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to “see and hear” …  to be his merciful presence.  Jesus’ actions remind us of the Beatitudes in which he blesses those who are poor in spirit in so many ways.  And then Jesus says “Rejoice (Gaudete) for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Pope Francis offered this guidance in “daily fidelity to the demands of our baptism.”

Pope Francis’ Beatitudes for Our Time

1. Blessed are those who remain faithful while enduring evils inflicted on them by others and forgive them from their heart.
2. Blessed are those who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness.
3. Blessed are those who see God in every person and strive to help others discover him.
4. Blessed are those who protect and care for our common home.
5. Blessed are those who renounce their own comfort to help others.
6. Blessed are those who pray and work for full communion among Christians.

And let the church say:  “Gaudete!”