This third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin verb which translates as “rejoice”: rejoice because Jesus, the joy of our salvation, is about to be born.
I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to the best Christmas gift ever—Pfizer’s covid-19 vaccine. Hopefully we’ll be able to be back to a semblance of normalcy in a few months. And that’s another good reason to rejoice this Christmas season.
Advent invites us to reflect upon the threefold coming of Jesus. The Word made flesh, the Christ-child, came to us centuries ago in Bethlehem; the living Christ comes to us now sacramentally at mass; and Christ will come again gloriously at the end-time.
In the Gospel, John the Baptizer points to Jesus. John lived a simple, focused life. His message was straightforward. He proclaimed what the prophet Micah begged: do what is right, love goodness, walk humbly with God.
John points to Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God through whose life, death and resurrection we again have God’s friendship and eternal life.
John courageously spoke truth to earthly power and paid with his life. He was a profile in courage.
Some psychologists argue that the most dominant emotion in society is fear. We're afraid of rejection and failure, of certain parts of town, of certain types of people, of criticism, afraid to say how we really feel and what we really think. Fear can paralyze us. Yes, fear (rather than lack of ability) stops many people from doing something extraordinary.
Look through history and identify people you admire. I venture to say nothing worthwhile is achieved without courage. Courage is an acquired ability. You learn to play a sport or a musical instrument by playing it. You gain courage by practicing courage. John Glenn logged thousands of aeronautical miles before he became the first American to orbit the earth.
Starting a new venture, making a sacramental commitment, struggling to overcome an addiction, coming humbly before God in prayer: they all require courage. Courage animates us and makes so many things possible
It takes courage to stand on principle. It takes courage to choose what is right in decisions that affect work, career, family and social life. We know that in the struggles of life we are not alone, for God has given us the Spirit of courage. It's one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Gifts and virtues are like muscles: exercise makes them stronger.
In the end, a life lived in accord with an informed conscience leaves us at peace. Only such a life, and the struggle of conscience, can bestow this harmony with God and with our own best selves.
So, as John the Baptizer did, seek always what is right and good. And having found it, as the slogan says: “just do it
