From The Bishop

This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sunday and the vestments change from violet to rose. The Introit (Entrance Antiphon) for the Mass states: “Gaudete in Domino semper” (Rejoice in the Lord always). On the Third Sunday of Advent we are called to rejoice. The beautiful Readings for this Sunday offer some reasons to rejoice. The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that those who have been anointed have been sent out to proclaim the Good News and for this reason the prophet states, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord.” In the Second Reading, Saint Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians reminds us to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances. If we do this then we will not “quench the Spirit” within us. Finally, in the Gospel of St. John, we are told that John the Baptist “came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him”. At baptism we were anointed with the Holy Spirit and given a mission to proclaim the good news that heals and restores hope. When we live out this calling we become a light to others. We help to dispel the gloom and doom of hopelessness that we often find in our world. So often we see this at Christmas as people joyfully help others and perform many acts of love and generosity. So let us “Rejoice in the Lord always” because the feast of Christmas is so near!