3rd Sunday of Advent Gaudete with Reflection

Today marked the 3rd Sunday of Advent, also known as “Gaudete Sunday”, meaning "rejoice" in Latin. The priest's vestments were rose-colored, symbolizing joy and a shift from the penitential tone of the season represented by purple. The rose color signifies the light breaking through the darkness of purple to rose, a reminder that the birth of Christ, the ultimate Light, is near. 

This Sunday was especially memorable for me as I attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Church in Bayshore, New York, a parish I had never been to before. The homily was deeply moving, and the first reading came from the Prophet Zephaniah:  

“Shout for joy, daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem!" (Zephaniah 3:14).  

The name Zephaniah means "God has hidden" in Hebrew, and the priest reminded us that what God has hidden among us is His very presence. This presence within us is the source of our hope and joy, especially during this season of Advent.  

The theme of this Sunday is joy (Gaudete), but how many of us truly experience joy during this time? Sadly, many descend into anxiety, depression, and stress, weighed down by worldly pressures. This happens because we often lose connection with what is hidden among us, God, who humbly came to us as an infant.  

For those of us who are aware of Christ's presence, it becomes our responsibility to share His joy with those suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The Church calls us to perform works of mercy as a tangible expression of this joy to those around us:  

Corporal Works of Mercy  

- Feeding the hungry  

- Giving drink to the thirsty  

- Clothing the naked  

- Sheltering the homeless  

- Visiting the sick  

- Visiting the imprisoned  

- Burying the dead  

Spiritual Works of Mercy  

- Admonish the sinner

- Instruct the ignorant

- Counsel the doubtful

- Bear wrongs patiently

- Forgive offenses willingly

- Comfort the afflicted 

- Pray for the living and the dead

In today’s Gospel (Luke 3:10-18), people asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” His response was to act justly and generously. Similarly, we can point others to the joy of the Advent season through small yet meaningful acts, like a warm smile to a stranger or a word of encouragement to someone in need.  

After Mass, I was walking to the car and met a wonderful woman named Rose (Like the Vestments the priest wore today). No coincidence. She is the same age as my aunt, so I will call her, auntie Rose Obiegbu, from Anambra State in Nigeria. What unfolded was nothing short of divine. We discovered that the priest who just said the mass, was from her hometown in Nigeria, and it was her first time at St. Patrick’s as well. She had recently relocated to Bayshore from the city and was looking for a home parish. We ended up sharing dinner across from the church, talking at length about Africa and our journeys. Life is truly amazing with God at the center. It was last Sunday around f this area and I'll miss it very much. But I was glad to have added today's experience to my overall time out on Long Island, New York. 

May the joy of this Advent season fill your heart and overflow to those around you.  

God bless you always.

I remain your friend,  

Ronnie