The Third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday. Why do we call it that? Because of today's reading from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, "Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. May the God of peace make you perfectly holy...and be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." No purple today, but rose colored vestments because this is a day of rejoicing. The time of His coming is almost at hand!
Christmas is not just about presents, parties, or even the friendship of the season. It is fundamentally about our relationship with Christ and his Father, in the Holy Spirit. Every year at this time we hear this proclamation from Isaiah, "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God..." When we hear it, we pleasantly recall how it refers to Christ.
Remember Jesus reading this very passage to his own people in the synagogue at Nazareth and then declaring the prophecy fulfilled in their hearing. Recall their indignation- it brings us a smile at their ignorance and naiveté. Oh, how they missed the point.
Here we are today, two thousand years later, still missing the point. It is not just about what Jesus came to do way back then. It is about what he comes to do today, right here, right now, in you and in me. How will the prophecy of Isaiah be fulfilled? Who will bring glad tidings and healing, proclaim liberty and release, announce the Lord's favor and vindication? Who comes in the name of the Lord? Not just Jesus back then, it must be Jesus right now in you and me!
FESTIVITIES
This is a wonderful time of the year for many of us. Next Saturday, December 17th, at the 5 PM Mass, join with our Filipino community to celebrate Simbang Gabi. This is one of a novena of Masses offered in anticipation of the Nativity of our Blessed Lord. The beautiful symbols of this celebration recall the travails of the Virgin and St. Joseph seeking a place for our Savior’s birth. After the liturgy you are invited to taste some traditional Filipino delicacies.
The parish Christmas concert, featuring the parish choir, schola, and handbells, will take place on Thursday, December 22nd, at 7 PM in church.
Be sure to take advantage of the sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) that will be available on Wednesday, December 21st and Friday, December 23rd, from 7 to 8PM, in church. We go to such great lengths this time of year to clean and prepare our homes for holiday guests. The most important guest of this or any season is Our Blessed Lord. Let us take the time and make the effort to prepare a place in our hearts to receive him worthily this Christmas.
THE PARISH DINNER AUCTION
After all the Christmas parties have been celebrated and the decorations packed away, it always seems like a long cold wait for the next bit of good cheer in the Spring. Not this year! We can all look forward to an evening of fun and revelry at the St. Hilary Dinner Auction, Friday Feb. 17, at 7 pm. It’s always a bright spot in the long winter dark.
Do your part to help make the auction especially special: please consider donating something of value to the parish. Perhaps you’ll receive a gift that might be “happier with a new home”… or you’ll get one thing that leaves you free to give away another. Perhaps you could donate some time in a vacation home, or tickets to a sporting event. Be creative! Make it a festive February, and help the parish finances.