REFLECTIONS ON THE WORD – 12/12/21 (Gaudete Sunday)

For the readings, click here: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

Blessed Third Sunday of Advent! Today, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, and "Gaudete" means "Rejoice." We should truly rejoice, for God offers to us His gift of salvation and His infinite mercy. In the gospel reading, St. John the Baptist prepared the way of Jesus by preaching the importance of repentance of sins. Many outcasts of their society came to him to know how to be saved. After St. John the Baptist instructed the tax collectors, the soldiers and others, people began to have hope. Why did they suddenly have hope? Because they were sinners, they were considered as the outcasts during their time. It's possible that they were judged, belittled and condemned as if they were not loved by God and they could not be saved. 

This happens even today. We may see how great our sins are and how much we offends the Lord. We may be discouraged because we may be repetitively doing the same sins, and all that we see are our imperfections. We may even hear from other people their criticisms and judgments over us. After hearing many insults, perhaps, we will just believe that what they say are true and walk down the wrong path. If we experience this, let's not lose hope. Rather, let's rejoice because we are the people whom God is looking for. He is looking for people who are willing to admit their weaknesses and be fully dependent on His mercy. The standards of the world are different from the standards of God. Let's follow the example of St. John the Baptist who humbled himself before God. Even if many people condemn us, we should remain firm in practicing humility, for if we ask for His forgiveness and turn away from our sins, He will exalt us to His Heavenly Kingdom.

Even if it has been a long time since our confession and even if we committed numerous sins in our lives, let's seek His infinite mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation. His mercy will envelope us, and He will purify us of our sins in this sacrament. Let's always ask forgiveness from God after committing a sin, and we should have a firm resolution of doing good works. May we always pray, not just for our salvation, but also for the conversion of others, so we may be saved from the fires of hell and be fully united to God for all eternity. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May God bless us and may He grant us the gift of repentance. May His mercy purify us of all our sins. Amen. + 

Reflection by: Dominic