Reflection by Fr. Chris

I want to pre-thank everyone for their compliments on my nice rose vestments this week (it is sad that we only get to bring them out twice a year, but luckily for us, this is that week!). This week we, as a Church, celebrate Gaudete Sunday which is one of the two Sundays that are  explicitly focused on joy. Throughout the other three weeks of Advent, the priest wears a purple chasuble, which carries with it a penitential tone as we prepare ourselves for the upcoming season of Christmas.  Today, in the middle of Advent, we take a break to remind ourselves that though we are in a penitential season and there are still many preparations that need to be done, we are joyful because we acknowledge the reality that Christ has already come and Christ will come again.

We hear often enough that there is a difference between happiness and joy. The secular month of December offers us many opportunities for happiness (and that is not a bad thing). There are opportunities for attending parties, watching Christmas movies and listening to music, and plenty of time eating Christmas cookies. Yet, as we mature, we understand that when we get to December 26, there is a bit of a crash (not simply sugar); because all of the events and festivities are over and we are told that we now need to pivot to the New Year. We crash because we no longer are responding to all of the external stimuli and pleasures, and are now left with time to reflect. The liturgical year is  different. We aren’t always happy but we ought to always be joyful because we recognize all that God has done for us. This is also why there is a Christmas season in the Church and not simply Christmas day (this is because we cannot express all of our Joy in 24 hours).

Let us be joyful this Gaudete Sunday and every Sunday. We acknowledge the work that needs to be done, not simply in terms of Advent preparations, but in terms of our lives on Earth. However, we are joyful because we are not alone. We have our Savior, our Church, and our Community to walk with us on this journey. 

In Christ,
Fr. Chris