This third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning to rejoice. We rejoice at the coming of the Light, Our Savior Jesus Christ. We rejoice that He is Emmanuel, God with us. As Isaiah tells us, the coming of the Lord will strengthen us and increase our joy. We will blossom with mercy and compassion. The land will bloom with peace and justice. A new day will rise.
The Gospel reminds us that we, the people of God, are to tell the world what we have seen in Jesus. We have watched the blind regain their sight, the lame walk again, lepers healed and sinners forgiven. As we are saved by Jesus, we rise to new life and walk in joy and peace bringing that good news of salvation to others through the texture of our own lives. We live to bring the Lord nearer to us and to others. Our Lord draws us into the heart of his mission and sends us forth to carry out that mission here and now. Rejoice and be glad!
Our task, then, is to allow the Lord to open our eyes where we are still blind, to open our ears where we still refuse to hear and to help us walk with courage where we are still afraid. So, we rejoice and go forth to be messengers of and for the living Christ, We go forth to build His kingdom. We wait in joy to celebrate the gift of the Incarnation at Christmas. WE pray to become more and more like Jesus each day.