Gospel Reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B
By The Benedictine Community
My soul rejoices in my God.
This Sunday is Gaudete Sunday, or Sunday of Joy following the theme from the Preface at Mass. Today we light the rose candle in the Advent wreath and are reminded that our Christian faith is one of hope, joy and optimism. This is important to remember in these days of war, hatred and civil strife with natural disasters thrown in for good measure! John the Baptist was a brave witness to the light of Christ who had come into the world, standing brave and steadfast in the face of church and state authorities. We too have an opportunity to give our Christian witness: when our prayers seem to lie unanswered, when hatred seems to prevail over goodness, when injustice seemingly triumphs as now in our present world. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
'Youths may grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.' Isaiah40:30-31.
Christ our light, our hope has come. Jesus I trust in you.