Gaudete Sunday Reflection

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete : modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est.
 
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.        
Let your gentleness be known to everyone.                     
The Lord is near.  Philippians 4:4-5 
 
The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. As seen above, Gaudete is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This name is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday's Mass, which is highlighted again in our Mass celebration as it is also echoed in today's second reading from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians. This Sunday is marked by lighting a pink candle instead of a purple one on our Advent wreaths in church and in many of our homes. The vestments that are worn by the priest are rose colored rather than purple. It is a reminder that Advent is a time of joy because our salvation is already at hand.
 
Rejoice IN THE LORD always; again, I say Rejoice! For Our God is near! As we heard in the words of the prophet Zephaniah the people of  Israel are told that “the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!” When Our Lord comes, all is transformed.
 
The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. For the first two weeks of Advent, the focus can be summed up in the phrase, “the Lord is coming,” but as we experience the 3^rd week of Advent, the focus shifts to “the Lord is near.” The mood becomes light and one of more joyous anticipation as we ready ourselves to welcome Him more fully into our lives and celebrate the renewal that Jesus’ birth brings to us and our families as we rejoice in Emmanuel – God with us!