Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and St. Rose,
Today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. We are rejoicing because the season of Advent is nearly over and we are more than halfway to Christmas.
This Sunday takes its name from the entrance antiphon for today. We replace the entrance antiphon with a hymn, so we rarely hear it. Today the entrance antiphon is from Philippians 4:4-5, "Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near."
The idea of this Sunday makes more sense when we remember that the Advent season is one of prayer and penance. It is a glimmer of hope that the Lord for whom we are preparing the way is truly coming.
Meanwhile, in reality, we have been knocking ourselves out attending Christmas plays, concerts, programs, services, exchanging gifts, and eating Christmas dinners and then we attend Mass and almost experience culture shock as we are reminded that it is Advent and Christmas is not yet here.
We are so very busy and caught up in all the rushing around that we can lose sight fo what is really happening.
So this Gaudete Sunday maybe we can just stop, take a deep breath, and quiet ourselves. Perhaps it is time to whisper a prayer:
Come Lord Jesus, fill my heart with your love. Help me to stop and remember that all I do at this busy time is about You! Help me to always be aware of Your presence so I will truly be prepared to celebrate your birth at Christmas!
May these final days of Advent be a time of prayer and grace.
Msgr. Cox