Reflection/Homily for 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B 17thDecember 2023
Reflection/Homily for 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B 17thDecember 2023 Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11. Luke 1:46-48,49-50,53-54. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. John 1:6-8,19-28. Theme: Live in Joy! The third Sunday of Advent is known as the Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word "rejoice," and this imperative is taken from the entrance antiphon of today's liturgy, which begins with "rejoice." The first words of the second reading also set the theme for this Sunday. St. Paul tells the Thessalonians, "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess.5:16-17). The Christian is a cheerful person: he is happy because Christ has shown him the meaning of life. Rich or poor, sick or healthy, the Christian should always be happy. For a Christian to rejoice and be truly happy, St. Paul says he must hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form of evil (cf.1 Thess.5:20). In the first reading ...