From the desk of the pastor for Dec. 15, 2024

The Lord be with you! A joyous Gaudete Sunday! As we draw closer to Christmas, we rejoice in the knowledge that Christ has almost come. This Sunday we remember that rejoicing in God is the source of our strength.

“Gaudate” is Latin for “rejoice,” and this Sunday invites us to rejoice in Christ’s coming. As today's entrance antiphon reminds us, “Rejoice in the Lord always! For the Lord is near.” Calling to mind that Jesus has already come encourages us because the work of grace has begun in our lives already. Likewise, when we remember that Christ will come again, we realize that ultimately God will bring that work to fulfillment as long as we remain with Him.

What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? Joy is the heart resting in love and being loved. Joy is not itself a feeling, but it is often accompanied by many strong ones. Joy is essentially our hearts being satisfied by loving and by being loved.

Let's take a human example of joy: playing a game. All games are meant to foster competition and community. Whether it is a board game or an athletics competition, the players do their best so that the game playing becomes a source of goodness. That goodness is present during the game in achievement and afterwards as self-improvement. Eventually, really good games create great players and great fans as a community develops around the game.

Where we find our joys is also where we will find our hearts. Although learning to rejoice in the things of the Lord is the work of a lifetime, we are called to do a little better each day. Drawing ever closer to God allows us to rejoice more easily and more deeply with Him. Just as athletes challenge themselves, we Christians are called to constant improvement in our lives with God.

Yet, life is not always easy or pleasant. All too often we meet the Cross in unexpected places that challenge us. Advent makes the bold claim that even in the midst of such suffering we can be at peace thanks to the work of God’s grace. Certainly, grace is not a feeling nor does it always give us that experience of calmness; nevertheless, learning to direct ourselves to God in all circumstances is the best way to remain at peace.
This Third Sunday of Advent, dare to rejoice! Not in the passing things of this world, like cars and promotions, but in the eternal reality of God. May the consolations that God offers us in turn spur us to console others with the abiding goodness of God’s Good News.

In His Sacred Heart,
Fr. John