THIRD (GAUDETE) SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B

REJOICE IN THE LORD

Rejoice in the Lord, again I say, rejoice.

On this Gaudete Sunday, we rejoice because the Lord’s coming is nearer than it was when we started the Advent season and indeed our faith journey.  We light the Candle of JOY. Its pink colour symbolises an infusion of the Christmas Light that arouses in us a joyful mood which we must nourish through prayers and good deeds. Hence, today’s second reading tells us to “Give thanks to God in all things, hold on to what is good and avoid evil.” To reinforce this joy, God makes a promise in today’s first reading. Here is the context. God’s people had returned from exile. However, the future remained somewhat uncertain and scary. Thus, the Lord makes a promise of the One to whom the Spirit is given to heal, bind the broken-hearted and proclaim freedom. He is the One, we are called, like John the Baptist, to make a way for in our hearts and to help others do the same. Since his coming is nearer, we confidently wait, knowing that, as St Paul tells us, “God will not fail us”.  So, rejoice in the Lord.

Happy Gaudete Sunday

Fr Chinedu