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PDRTJS_settings_938668_post_1110={“id”:938668,”unique_id”:”wp-post-1110″,”title”:”Advent Day 15 – What should we do?”,
Third Sunday of Advent
In our Catholic liturgical calendar this is “Gaudete Sunday — the Sunday of Joy. We’re half way through Advent and the vestment color is Rose, rather than purple, the color of penitence. So, we see the celebrant in rose vestments, which is – um – a little too close – to pink. I had a “Rose” cell phone once; everybody asked me why I had a pink cell phone (Don’t ask. I bought it when I was manic.) I insisted it was rose – not pink!
Enough foolishness.
This is supposed to be a joyful time of year but . . . some us don’t see things clearly, or can’t speak up for ourselves or are disabled. some of us are afraid /disillusioned /confused / depressed / lonely / weak-kneed / in need of a good old-fashioned infusion of hope and joy.
A traditional reading for this day from Isaiah 35:1-6a,10 sums up the joyful, hopeful mood of this third Advent Sunday:
The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
they will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.
And then this traditional third Sunday reading:
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
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. ~(Phil 4:4-7.)
To You be honor and glory. Amen!
COME, LORD JESUS!
The Actual Mass readings for today can be found on a link below.
To get you in a joyful mood I have a surprise for you ~ the HALLELUIA CHORUS sung in a shopping mall during lunch by opera singers mingled with the munchers. This is truly amazing and lots of fun. Turn up your speakers and enter full screen.
(With our joyful gratitude to Alphabet photography.)
Father Bob's Reflections 