THIRD (GAUDETE) SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Luke, Chapter 1, verse 10-12:
10 Then, when the whole assembly of the people
was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, 11the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense. 12Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear
came upon him.
Zechariah was troubled and he was afraid. I do not think
this was Holy fear for Zechariah’s faith did not equal his fear and he was
filled with unbelief. His intellect outweighed his heart and as a result
he was left unable to speak until the birth of his son as the angel told
him. That son was John the Baptist. There are times when we must listen
to our hearts and not our heads.
Gaudete Sunday is a time to listen to our hearts!
A joyful warning comes from the Lord's heralds.
"Rejoice: the Lord is nigh." As Christmas draws near, the Church
emphasizes the joy which should be in our hearts over all that the birth of our
Savior means for us. The great joy of Christians is to see the day drawing nigh
when the Lord will come again in His glory to lead them into His kingdom. The
oft-repeated Veni ("Come") of Advent is an echo not only of
the prophets but also of the conclusion of the Apocalypse of St. John:
"Come, Lord Jesus," the last words of the New Testament. Today is
known as Gaudete Sunday. The term Gaudete refers to the first word of the
Entrance Antiphon, "Rejoice". Rose vestments are worn to emphasize
our joy that Christmas is near, and we also light the rose candle on our Advent
wreath.
O Antiphons[2]
Today also marks the beginning of the O Antiphons, the seven jewels of
our liturgy in preparation of Christ.
The "Octave" Before Christmas
and/or the Golden Nights
With
each new Sunday heightening our sense of anticipation and with every Advent
custom doing the same, it is little wonder that the eight days before Christmas
became a semi-official octave of impatient expectation. This is expressed
liturgically in the Divine Office's special magnificat antiphons for this
period. Beginning on the evening of December 17 during Vespers, a "Greater" or "O" antiphon
(so named for its opening vocative) is said which explicitly invokes the Son of
God under various titles and begs Him to come. The Gregorian chant for these
antiphons is exquisite, as are the antiphons themselves, which call attention
to the Word's different manifestations to man in the Old Testament and to
several of His divine attributes. The antiphons are also noteworthy for their
"code." The titles for Christ from each antiphon form an acrostic which, when read
backwards, spells, "ERO CRAS"
-- "I will be [there] tomorrow!" It is as if Christ were answering
our prayers through the prayers themselves. Finally, the Greater antiphons are
the inspiration of the beautiful medieval hymn, Veni, Veni Emmanuel. Each stanza of this famous song is
a poetic rendering of an antiphon, which is why the hymn is traditionally sung
only during the eight days prior to Christmas. In many places, however, the
octave of preparation was extended over nine days, making a Novena. By special permission,
the "Golden Mass"
of Ember Wednesday was sometimes offered in the pre-dawn hours for nine
consecutive days prior to Christmas. Central Europe observed the "Golden Nights," a festive
season honoring the Blessed Virgin, the expectant Mother of God; in fact,
December 18 was once the Feast of
the Expectancy in Spain. In the Alps, schoolchildren observed the
custom of Josephstragen
-- "carrying St. Joseph." Each night, a group of boys would carry a
statue of St. Joseph to another boy's home. The night after the visit, the boy
who had been visited would join the procession, making the number of carriers
grow progressively larger. On Christmas Eve all the boys, accompanied by
schoolgirls dressed in white, would process the statue through the town to the
church, where it would be placed near the manger. In Latin America, on the
other hand, a Novena to the Holy Child (La Novena
del Niño) was held in which prayers would be said and lively carols sung in
front of the church's empty manger.
Come, and teach us the way
of prudence.
O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching
from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly, Come, and teach
us the way of prudence.
Spiritual Crib[3]
Just discovered this
better late than never
A special devotion that can be performed during Advent to
prepare for the coming of the Infant Savior. It can be adapted for adults and/or
children and applied as is appropriate to your state in life.
·
1st day, December 11th: THE STONES—Pure
Intention By pure intention today, we will bring together the materials for
the stable. The Wagon to carry the stones shall be the pure intention, the
Horses the great fervor in the service of God, and the stones we collect by
making 100
aspirations to the most Sacred Heart of our dear Redeemer.
·
2nd Day, December 12th: THE
FOUNDATION—Humility We lay the foundation of our little Stable by practicing
the virtue of humility. Therefore we may not excuse ourselves, either good or
evil; make frequent acts of humility and perform at least one humble task. Clean
the toilets
·
3rd day, December 13th: THE WALLS—Charity
Today we must erect the Walls of our little stable by showing great love and
kindness towards others, in spite of our feelings for them. Always to excuse
their faults, and if that is not possible, at least the intention. Take no
offence at anything and show great kindness to such as put your patience to the
test. Pray much for the Poor Souls and for poor sinners. Visit the
tabernacle.
·
4th day, December 14th: THE ROOF—Self-denial
Today we must practice self-denial in everything great or small. We must
therefore do the very things from which nature shrinks, and if opportunity permits,
abstain from some amusement in whatever way it presents itself. No TV today
·
5th day, December 15th: THE
STRAW—Mortification Today the infant Jesus desires mortification from us;
therefore let us watch for opportunities with a joyful heart. Not look about
when we are walking; not lean back when sitting; not warm ourselves when cold;
not satisfy the taste at table; when tempted to impatience not to show it, and
yield our own opinion to that of others. Today really listen to others
·
6th day, December 16th. THE HAY—Meekness
Prepare a soft little bed of Hay for the Divine Infant by practicing this
beautiful virtue. Do not yield to anger today; and speak very kindly to such as
are repulsive to you. When tempted to speak harshly, say this little prayer
instead. O Jesus meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
·
7th day, December 17th THE CRIB—Confidence
Build the little Crib by an unbounded confidence in God. Give not way to
sadness in adversity. Also think not too much of our past sins and faults,
making many acts of hope in God's mercy instead. Reflect a little each hour on
the great love of God, who becomes Man for us.
·
8th day, December 18th THE MULE—Patience To
practice this virtue, we must complain of no one or nothing. No shade of
impatience should be seen on our countenance, nor an impatient word heard. Be
brave. The Infant Jesus suffered much more for you.
·
9th day, December 19th: THE OX—Silence
Today we may speak nothing unnecessary, much less give way to distracting
thoughts. On the contrary, hold interior converse with God by loving
aspirations to Him.
·
10th day, December 20th: THE SHEPHERDS—Works
of Mercy These are so pleasing to our Lord, and we must therefore practice
them corporally as well as spiritually. Pray much for poor sinners and for
God's dear missionaries who are trying to convert them.
·
11th day, December 21st: THE HOLY
ANGELS—Attention to Inward Inspirations Have
special regard for them today. Perhaps our dear Lord demands a little
sacrifice, an extra prayer, an act of some virtue, an acknowledgment of your
love for Him. Be watchful and faithful.
·
12th day, December 22nd: ST. JOSEPH—Obedience Today you
must try to please the Divine Infant by cheerful, and very prompt obedience. Be
obedient for the love of Jesus in great and little things or in easy ones. Do
nothing without permission.
·
13th day, December 23rd: THE BLESSED
VIRGIN MARY—Chastity Pray much today for the virtue of holy purity.
Guard your eyes, ears, tongue, and. heart. Pray fervently: O Mary, conceived
without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
·
14th day, December 24th: THE SWADDLING
CLOTHES—Inward Recollection All your thoughts today, all your wishes, your
aspirations, your love and your joy, must be for the dear Infant Jesus, who in
a few hours condescends to be born in your heart.
Activity Source: Prayers from Various Holy Cards
During this Advent season let us take up the nature of God by
reflecting on these traits that make us a model for our children and our
sisters and brothers in Christ. Today reflect on:
Forgiveness vs. Rejection
Clearing the
record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me
(Ephesians 4:32)
1462 Forgiveness of sins brings
reconciliation with God, but also with the Church. Since ancient times the
bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus rightfully been
considered to be the one who principally has the power and ministry of reconciliation:
he is the moderator of the penitential discipline. Priests, his collaborators,
exercise it to the extent that they have received the commission either from
their bishop (or religious superior) or the Pope, according to the law of the
Church.
2151 Rejection of false oaths is
a duty toward God. As Creator and Lord, God is the norm of all truth. Human
speech is either in accord with or in opposition to God who is Truth itself.
When it is truthful and legitimate, an oath highlights the relationship of
human speech with God's truth. A false oath calls on God to be witness to a
lie.
2844 Christian
prayer extends to the forgiveness
of enemies, transfiguring the disciple by
configuring him to his Master. Forgiveness is a high-point of Christian prayer;
only hearts attuned to God's compassion can receive the gift of prayer.
Forgiveness also bears witness that, in our world, love is stronger than sin.
The martyrs of yesterday and today bear this witness to Jesus. Forgiveness is
the fundamental condition of the reconciliation of the children of God with
their Father and of men with one another.
Daily Devotions
·
Please pray for me and this ministry
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