Gaudete

December 15, 2013:   3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

Readings

• Is 35:1-6a, 10  They will see the Lord's glory.  Fear not!  Your God he comes to save you.  The eyes of the blind will be opened....  Those the Lord ransomed will return, crowned with joy.

• Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10  "Lord, come and save us."  The Lord, who secures justice, gives food and sight, sets free, raises up, loves, protects, and sustains, shall reign forever.

• Jas 5:7-10  Be patient till the Lord's coming, as the farmer waits for fruit.  The Lord's coming is at hand; make your hearts firm.  Don't complain.

• Mt 11:2-11  John's disciples to Jesus:  “Are you the one who is to come?”  “The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”  “What did you go out to the desert to see?  A reed?  One well-dressed?  A prophet?  John is more:  the messenger to prepare the way.  No one has been greater, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater.”

Pope Francis

• Angelus:  The Christian message is the "Gospel," "good news," of joy; the Church is a house of joy, not a refuge for the sad.  Today is “Gaudete Sunday,” “Rejoice Sunday.” Rejoice to prepare to celebrate Christmas.  Gospel joy is joy from knowing God welcomes and loves you.  God comes to save us, to lift up those who have lost heart.  Be strong and unafraid, because God shows mercy and helps us start anew and overcome sadness.  Our joy and hope are founded on God's faithfulness.  Trust in God and experience peace nothing can take away.  Our joy is Christ.  Pray for sad Christians;  and make them feel the community's warmth.

• Gospel Joy 2.II (Evangelii Gaudium drill-down), concluding Chapter 2 (a series):  Heed the 2nd reading and be patient (till tomorrow) for Other challenges, or read the original.

Reflections

• Creighton:  Jesus our hope doesn’t ask us to deny hardships but to experience them with him and be set free and restored.

• RC.net:  John prepared the Lord's way, strong in the face of opposition, unlike a reed shaken by wind.  In what or whom do I trust and hope?

• Sacred Space

Music

• Veni, veni Emmanuel (pre Neale-Coffin translation) ("Gaude" for Gaudete Sunday)
• Therefore the redeemed of the Lord/ Lake (1st reading)
• Ready the way/ Hurd (sample sheet music) (1st reading)
• Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, from Messiah/ Handel (1st reading, recitativ before He shall feed his flock)
• Lord, come and save us/ Joncas (psalm)
• Patience, People/ Foley (sheet music sample) (2nd reading)
• John/ Winter (gospel) [leadsheet and related note]

Apparel

• "Eyeball" tie pin:  the eyes of the blind shall be opened (1st reading)

• "Clocks" tie, apple pin:  be patient, as farmers wait for fruit (2nd reading)

• Rose shirt, "roses" pin:  today's color

Dress your life!

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