From the Friars: Gaudete Sunday

As we are captivated by the Rose-colored vestments this Third Sunday of Advent, let us hear these words from the prophet Isaiah: “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.” On this day we are challenged to REJOICE (‘Gaudete’) only in the Lord by a joyful and humble surrender. Gaudete Sunday has been a liturgical tradition in the West since the time of St. Gregory the Great (b. 540) and is similar to Laetare Sunday which falls in the middle of Lent. Its purpose is to encourage those who are advancing through this penitential Season by expressing the only true message of consolation: The Lord is near!

Mary gave perfect fulfillment to these words of the prophet Isaiah: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Lk. 1:46). Mary found space in Her heart to give way to the coming of the Lord, and thus, She rejoices because the Lord is near. When we give space to Our Savior and Redeemer in our hearts, we find ourselves like Mary, captivated by Life! Our lives take on a new shade of meaning—a new color—and we cannot help but be thankful and REJOICE in the Lord.

Our Advent journey must be a time of learning to surrender to God. “For freedom Christ has set us free!” (Gal. 5:1). Live in the freedom of the sons and daughters of God! (Rom. 8:21). And to do this properly, we must become like Mary Who conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there, is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17). This month we have celebrated two other important Marian Feasts: The Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Both celebrations challenge us to open our limited perspective to the marvels that God wishes to accomplish in the world.

May today be a captivating reminder that our life should be full of rejoicing by a simple smile amid great trials. This is the true freedom we seek; a freedom that communicates the only message truly matters and gives meaning and purpose to our life: The Lord is near!

–Father Francis