By Msgr. Joseph Prior • Posted December 13, 2024

(See the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” The exhortation, encouragement and call to praise comes from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. It is also used as the introit for Sunday’s liturgy. Thus the Third Sunday of Advent is sometimes called Gaudete Sunday (gaudete being the Latin word for “rejoice”).

On this day the liturgical color is not the deep purple used for the rest of Advent but a bright rose. It is an invitation to remember that even as we long for the Lord’s coming, he has come already and is still with us. He has won salvation for us and that is a reason for great joy.

The message comes at a good time for many people. It is right about now that the pressures and anxieties that sometimes accompany the holiday season hit people.

It is an interesting phenomena that many people get depressed at this most joyous time of the year. Sometimes it is all the added responsibilities surrounding Christmas: gift giving, preparing for gatherings, card sending, decorating the house and so forth. Other times the sadness may be more serious like having the first Christmas after the death of a loved one. Also this time of the year stirs up past memories of broken relationships or fractured families.

It is not unusual for people to feel down or weighed down. So it is good to hear the call to rejoice. Why? Because God’s love is greater than the burdens we face in life; his glory can dispel the darkness; and his mercy can heal anything that is broken. And we know of his love, his glory and his mercy through Jesus, his Son.

St. Luke tells us that in preparing for the Lord’s arrival, the Baptist “preached good news to the people.” The call to repentance and preparation helps highlight the Lord’s gift of mercy and salvation. The Gospel account for Sunday’s liturgy recalls many people coming to John. They hear his message and are moved to repent. He gives three specific examples on how to prepare.

First he exhorts everyone to charity by giving to those in need. This message is heard then and now. I was just in our parish’s office center for a meeting. We had to move the meeting from our normal conference room because it was full, no room to move or sit, with Christmas presents from parishioners for the poor. Every parish experiences the same thing — a clear reminder that the Baptist’s call has been heard, and a reason for joy.

Second, when the tax collectors ask what they should do, John tells them to be honest in collecting their funds. Third, when the soldiers ask what they should do, John says: “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” All of us can benefit in one way or another from John’s advice.

All this is in preparation for the Lord’s arrival. As John continues to speak, his hearers are growing in anticipation and excitement. The moment that all humanity has been waiting for is almost here. Salvation is at hand. John tells his audience that while he is baptizing them with water, the one who is coming will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus’ baptism will bring a share in divine life, eternal life. We live, now, sharing in that life. Gaudete Sunday can be a reminder of the great gift who is Christ Jesus and the gift he gives us, eternal life.

The call for rejoicing is echoed in the first reading. The reading comes from the prophet Zephaniah. “Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord had removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear!”

St. Jerome called the prophet “the watchman of the Lord.” Hearing these words today, we might be reminded that Jesus has broken the bonds of sin and death through his passion, death and resurrection. Mercy trumps sin; life is victorious over death. This life that Jesus has already won for us is the source of our rejoicing. Keeping our minds focused on this life of love is a sure and reliable help to lift us up in joy as we approach Christmas.

Likewise, St. Paul’s message to the Philippians is a message to us and especially to those burdened with sadness: “The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Gaudete Sunday gives us the opportunity to refocus on the truly valuable and everlasting meaning of this season. The distresses, anxieties even sufferings we face in life will pass. He has delivered us from death and given us life. So perhaps we can hear those words of St. Paul and allow them to lift us up in joy: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!”

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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Penndel, and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.