3rd Sunday of Advent: Gaudete Sunday

            A few words are in order about the horrifying shooting in Newton, Connecticut.  How tragic an event losing twenty children, teachers and adults at the hands of one person in a nightmare of a moment.  We must pray for those who lost their lives, the families and the community of Newton in the days and weeks ahead.

            The most recent shooting shows just how ugly sin is.  We pray to be freed of our own sins as all sin leads to death.

            And it shows the destruction of untreated mental and psychological illness.  One of the news programs today stated that in the string of school shootings over the last ten to fifteen years in our country all had a shooter who had mental needs left unchecked.  It is a good reminder to us who may have psychological crosses to have the courage to get assistance to experience the freedom Christ wants you to have.  Not that anyone here is on the brink of a rampage, but many may be facing anxiety and depression.  Please know you can talk to Fr. Rich or myself about this and we can put you in touch to many resources to help with these crosses.

            Running is one of my favorite activities.  I’ve been running for seventeen years now after competing in track and cross-country in junior high, high school and college.  I love racing and competing and have done marathons and road races through the years.  Racing is all about pushing to the point of wanting to give up, falling over and waiting for the ambulance, then pressing on.  In my best races I have gotten to the point where it is like a light switches on and I know I will beat my goal or make it to the finish line.  The adrenaline and excitement cause a true second wind and carries me to the finish.

            I compare this moment in a race to the place we are in Advent right now.  This weekend is Gaudete Sunday, a Sunday to rejoice during Advent.

We have lost a sense of what the season of Advent is.  As John the Baptist reminds us, Advent is supposed to be very similar to Lent—a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Gaudete Sunday is a break from fasting to rejoice in the coming of Christ.  We know that Jesus is coming at Christmas and is coming soon.  The only proper response to this reality is joy.

Joy is different than happiness.  When we speak of happiness we refer to something at the human level which gives us pleasure.  I may be happy eating a chocolate chip cookie.  I may be happy watching the Vikings win.  But joy is something deeper.  In fact, it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  True joy can be experienced only by experiencing God.  It means much more than pleasure but features peace, contentment, excitement and happiness.

Our readings are filled with encouraging joy.  Shout with joy.  Exult.  Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice.  One practical way to live this joy is how we pray at Mass.  Today let the rest of the Mass be different.  Pray, sing and respond in Mass with joy and exultation.  Let me hear your joy.

As we walk towards Christmas, continue to pray, be generous and seek opportunities for fasting.  Take to heart the words of St. Paul: “The Lord is near.  Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”