3nd Sunday of Advent

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today is Gaudete Sunday. It takes its common name from the Latin word Gaudete, which means, 'Rejoice'! With a shorter Advent this year, it is crazy to think we are almost a week away from the celebration of Christmas. I love how the Church is in a way activating our senses, hinting to us that the time is near, by the change in the Priest's color of vestments.

In all of today's readings we hear the invitation to "Rejoice in the Lord!" Simply put, we are called to praise and bless the Lord. God created human beings to praise, reverence, and serve Him, and by doing this, save our souls. Praising God actually puts us in touch with an order of how we are to live that brings a deep peace, rest, and fulfillment in our life. 

We can Rejoice in the Lord by starting every prayer by praising God. When we praise God and one of His attributes, we are removing ourselves from the equation and simply proclaiming who God is. To praise God, activates something so essential to our survival as children of the Father. In a way, it is a foretaste of heaven where we will forever be singing with one voice, "Holy, holy, holy" (Rev 4:8). We see Mary teach us what it can look like to praise God through her Magnificat, which we pray in today's Psalm. First, she "proclaims the greatness of the Lord" and "rejoices in God [her] Savior". Then, she follows by simply proclaiming attributes of God and tangible ways she has experienced His goodness!

I challenge you to try this for yourself! Simply examine the goodness of God in your life and pray, "I praise you God for ____." Or maybe attempt to write your own ‘Magnificat’, your own proclamation of praise to God. Like Mary's Magnificat, try and proclaim as many attributes of God that you have experienced or have heard through scripture. This will surely help us follow St. Paul's words to "Rejoice always [and] pray without ceasing."

Anthony Quinn