Third Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day 

Today is Gaudete Sunday, the day we finally get to light the pink candle on the Advent wreath. After months of tedium while sheltering-in-place or quarantining, there is palpable excitement in something as simple as lighting a different-colored candle! 

Gaudete is a Latin word that is translated rejoice. But what does rejoice mean? The noun form, joy, is often described as a feeling of pleasure and happiness, but that seems incomplete from a Christian point of view. Pleasure and happiness are dependent on external circumstances and are fleeting; joy, in its fuller, spiritual meaning of expressing God's goodness, is so much more. It grows and emanates from the soul.

The readings today capture that joy. The prophet Isaiah proclaims, “I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul.” The Christ-bearer Mary sings in the Magnificat, “my soul rejoices in God my Savior.“ Paul says to “Rejoice always,” and John the Evangelist tells us that the Baptizer has come to “testify to the light.” What fills these Biblical figures with joy? The prospect of justice, the alleviation of hunger, hearts of gratitude, and light in a world of darkness: all point to communion with God.

Isn’t that what we are called to do at Catholic Charities? Bring the joy and light of Christ into a hurting world? In the work we do, we shine a light on injustice while illuminating the darkness by providing opportunities for education, housing, and food security. Like Isaiah, we are stewards who have been anointed “to bring glad tidings to the poor.” While joy is a noun, rejoice is a verb, which in its oldest sense is giving joy to others. As you light that pink candle this week, picture the faces of all those to whom you have brought joy this year as we continue on our journey to Christmas.

Kathy Freeze is the Director of Community Involvement for Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico. Her passion is in putting faith into action for ministries, families, youth and young children and is a graduate of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.

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