Third Sunday of Advent

 

Praise be to Jesus Christ

How was your week?  How is your Advent?

May God bless and bring joy to all parishioners who are observing Advent dutifully.  

 

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent.  We light the third candle and wait for Christmas.  

Every Sunday, we light one additional candle and wait for our messiah.  

Advent candles are lit dark candles first then to a lighter color as it symbolizes our Lord who comes to us through the light.  

 

We light the rose colored candle today.  The priest also wears a rose chasuble (liturgical vestment).  It is also a rose Sunday or joyful Sunday.  

 

We began Advent with “Be vigilant at all times and pray” (Luke 21:36) along with solemn repentance and penance.  But as Christmas is upon us, we begin to celebrate the joyfully arrival of our Lord.  

 

Today's reading invites us to joy.

"Be glad and exult with all your heart."(Zephaniah 3:14)

“Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Philippian 4:4)

“The Lord is near.” (Philippian 4:5)n

 

 

Through hope and joy, we also ask as the crowd in today’s gospel did: “What should we do?”  (Luke 3:10)

 

John the Baptist, teaches us how to prepare for our Lord.  Those who have clothes and food are to share with others who do not.  Do not ask for more than prescribed and extort from others but be satisfied with what you have.  

 

During the remaining time in Advent, we need to joyfully celebrate love, justice, and equality as we wait for Christmas.  

 

Let us meditate for a moment.