Gospel: December 17, 2023

(Sunday)

3rd Sunday of Advent

(Gaudete Sunday)

Psalter: Week 3 / (Rose)

Responsorial Psalm: Lk 1: 46-48, 49-50, 53-54

My soul rejoices in my God.

1st Reading: Isaiah 61: 1-2a, 10-11The spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up broken hearts, to proclaim liberty to the captives, freedom to those languishing in prison; to announce the year of Yahweh’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to give comfort to all who grieve; I rejoice greatly in Yahweh, my soul exults for joy in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of his salvation, he has covered me with the robe of his righteousness, like a bridegroom wearing a garland, like a bride adorned with jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the Lord Yahweh make justice and praise spring up in the sight of all nations.

2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every moment. This is the will of God, your vocation as Christians.

Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise the prophets’ warnings. Put everything to the test and hold fast to what is good. Avoid evil, wherever it may be.

May the God of peace make you holy and bring you to perfection. May you be completely blameless, in spirit, soul and body, till the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord; he who called you is faithful and will do it.

Gospel: John 1: 6-8, 19-28A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but a witness to introduce the Light; This was the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” John recognized the truth, and did not deny it. He said, “I am not the Messiah.”

And they asked him, “Then who are you? Elijah?” He answered, “I am not.” They said, “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?” And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord!”

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Those who had been sent were Pharisees; and they put a further question to John, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” John answered, “I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”

This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Lectio Divina:Read: Isaiah rejoices over a year of jubilee when God heals and restores his people, reestablishing justice, fruitfulness and peace. The final section from Paul’s first Letter to the Thessalonians gives the people instructions about how to prepare for the coming of the Lord with joy and faithfulness. The Gospel of John sings the praises of John the Baptist who humbly witnessed to Christ.

Reflect: Today is Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning, “rejoice.” The readings reflect the joy we feel as we enter the final part of Advent, growing ever closer to the great celebration of the Lord’s birth. In the secular world, it seems as though the celebration of Christmas starts earlier every year. (I regularly see the first Christmas displays in July!) By the time we reach this point in Advent, we can be growing tired of the celebrations as if we are on joy overload.

Today’s celebration renews our joy, reminding us that Jesus is the source of our joy. We rejoice not because of tinsel and tress, lights and presents, but because God has come into our world to destroy death and open the gates of heaven.

Pray: Lord, may I always rejoice in your love.

Act: Gather with family and friends to do something fun.