3rd Sunday of Advent

 3rd Sunday of Advent (Español) (Vietnamese)

Our commentary this week is provided by Auxiliary Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of San Diego. For a PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

Prayer

Loving Father, As we continue in this Advent Season, fill

us with the joyful virtue of hope. Help us to long for your

Son Jesus with love in our hearts. Let us remain faithful

until he returns in glory. Amen.

Commentary

1st Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11

When the founders of the United States made

a declaration that they were free and independent,

they were in the midst of war. They had

no evidence that after their declaration they

would be around to see a free nation realized.

Nevertheless, they boldly declared that they

were free.

When the Prophet Isaiah “declared” a day of vindication

from God and a year of favor from the Lord, he proclaimed

what would one day be. He had not seen nor witnessed this

promised favor of God, but he believed and boldly professed

it.

As citizens of the U.S., we celebrate the boldness of our nations

first citizens. Likewise, as Christians, we remember the

prophetic voices of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and even John the Baptist

who testified to who was yet to come.

Jesus is that anointed one who would come to“bring glad

tidings to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty

to the captives and release to the prisoners. In other words,

he would be our savior.

There is a boldness in those who place their faith in what is

to come. As we long for the Lord’s return in glory, may be

just as bold in our proclamation.

Question

Are you bold in your proclamation of the Lord?

2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Our Season of Advent takes a turn this weekend with new

colors, brighter lights, and the word, “Rejoice!”

The Third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete (Rejoice)

Sunday.

Our Second Reading gives this Sunday its

title: “Rejoice always. Pray without

ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks.”

These words bring us comfort as the

shortest day and the longest night

approaches. The day after the Winter

Solstice (December 21/22), our days

become a little brighter.

This is a time when we light the third candle of the Advent

wreath. It is symbolic of the hope for brighter things to

come as we now turn our attention to Christ, born of Mary,

at Christmas. He is the light of the world, the North Star,

who guides us out of our darkness. He is truly our cause for

rejoicing!

How will you make the approaching Season of Christmas a

time for rejoicing in Jesus, the Light of the world?

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

In their darkest moment, the crowds in John’s Gospel

were disoriented. In their confusion they reached out to

John the Baptist and hoped that he would be their light

in the darkness.

John quickly tells them that he is

not. Rather, he is one who testifies to

the Light. John gives the crowd hope

and reason to rejoice as he says

“there is one who is coming after

me.”

In our darkest moments, we might

grasp at straws to find help. We

might look for other saviors or selfhelp

guides to get us out of our

messes.

However, there is only one true light

who will dispel our darkness. The

challenge for us as Christians is to

reach out to Christ, the light of the

world.

Not to be confused with other

“messiahs,” Jesus is the true Christ

and reason for Gaudete Sunday - our time to rejoice!

Questions

In your time of darkness, to whom do you turn for help?

Task for the Week

In a few weeks, we will begin a new calendar year.

Generally, people make New Year’s resolutions. Make a

list of resolutions here. Place on the top of your list the

following:

1st Resolution: I will let Christ be my light and guide.

2nd Resolution: ______________________________

3rd Resolution: ______________________________

4th Resolution: ______________________________

Pray or sing this traditional Advent hymn:

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,

And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

The prayer continues with Mary’s

Magnificat, Luke 1

Response: My soul rejoices in my God.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the

Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked upon his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me

blessed:

R. My soul rejoices in my God.

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

R. My soul rejoices in my God.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham, and his children forever.

R. My soul rejoices in my God.

Conclude with an Our Father