As today is Gaudete Sunday, I’d like to begin this reflection with a simple task.

Scan your surroundings. Look for the color rose or rose pink, the color of the candle in the Advent wreath we light in church this Sunday. Any success?

If you did find anything in that hue, notice that the color was not “real” or “present” to you before this exercise. You only noticed its “reality” now when I asked you to look for it. In a way, whatever we look for becomes real or present.

Gaudete Sunday gives us the chance to “rejoice in hope” as we anticipate Jesus’ birth and all that He represents for us.  Matthew narrates Jesus’ response to John the Baptist’s disciples whether or not He was the Messiah. He answers indirectly but positively by giving evidence of the Messiah’s presence and activity.

Similarly, let us rejoice by looking for the evidence of God’s favor as early as now.  Let us make present and real the countless reasons we should celebrate and give thanks as we look forward to Christmas! 

J Yogawin (coachj@jyogawin.com)

Reflect

Look for the obvious and not so obvious reasons for you to rejoice. List them down and celebrate with deep gratitude!

I rejoice in anticipating Your birth, oh Lord!  Thank You for every blessing that has come and will be coming my way.

St. John of the Cross, priest and Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

First Reading | Isaiah 35:1-6, 10

There is so much imagery in today’s reading, and it is as though my brain has shifted into overload. This text gives us some idea of the nature of God beyond our comprehension—He is overflowing in abundance and goodness. If this is what we can expect from God, then I wonder what heaven is like?

¹ The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. ² They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. ³ Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak,   ⁴ say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. ⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; 6 then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the dumb will sing. ¹⁰ Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

R: Lord, come and save us.

⁶ The Lord God keeps faith forever, ⁷ secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. (R) ⁸ The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord raises up those that were bowed down. The Lord loves the just; ⁹ the Lord protects strangers. (R) The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. ¹⁰ The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. (R)

Second Reading | James 5:7-10

As we prepare for the birth of Jesus, the Church reminds us that He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. We have nothing to fear, but we should do our best to respond to His offer of grace and salvation in this life. 

⁷ Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸ You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. ⁹ Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. ¹⁰ Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Gospel | Matthew 11:2-11

John the Baptist is the ideal example of preparation. He gives his life to prepare for the ministry of Christ. This is what we are all supposed to do. While John prepared for Christ’s first coming, we are to prepare for His Second Coming. The Second Coming will be far more glorious than the first one; at least it should be, if we do our part.

Gospel Acclamation 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

² When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus ³ with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” ⁴ Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” ⁷ As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. ⁹ Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. ¹¹ Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read ECCLESIASTES 5 - 8 today.

The Coming of the Messiah

Today in the Gospel, John the Baptist, who was by then in prison, sent an emissary to Jesus to ask: “Are You the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” The answer was given: “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

Yes, we do say things, the meaning and implication of which sometimes we have no clue. And who and what we expect at Christmas is no exception. That is why, with the Christmas rush officially on, we should also ask ourselves John the Baptist’s question: Are You the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?

What does the word “Christmas” mean?

For many, “Christmas” simply means December 25—a day of eating, drinking, merrymaking, and getting together; the day Christendom celebrates the traditionally acknowledged date of the birth of Jesus. But “Christmas” comes from two words: Christ and Mass.

Christ means the Messiah, the Anointed One. It refers to Jesus who became Man for a specific mission—to offer His life as a ransom for many. While all men who are born will die, Christ is the Man who was born to die.

I once received a card with a Christmas wreath and a crown of thorns put side by side. Beneath the wreath, it said, “This is the season.” Beneath the crown of thorns, it said, “This is the reason.” The Messiah was born on a mission of selfgiving. “Mass” obviously refers to the Eucharist, the commemoration of Jesus’ sacrifice, the remembrance of His Body, “given up for you,” freely, totally, and joyfully. 

Fr. Joel Jason

Reflection question

Do you give freely, totally, and more importantly, joyfully?

Come, Lord, and do not delay. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________————