Gaudete Sunday

   Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico gaudete.  rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice.

The introductory prayer (Introit) of today's Mass sets the theme for the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday.  We are getting anxious for the coming of Jesus Christ. We have been reflecting, repenting, doing penance, praying for the coming of our salvation.  Today is a reminder that the joyful time is coming ever closer.  

The Introit of today's Mass is from Philippians 4:4- 6, and Psalm 84:2.  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men: for the Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing by prayer let your petitions be made known to God. (Psalm) Lord, Thou has blessed Thy land: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.

In all of the "Proper" prayers, and the Epistle and Gospel today, we are urged to gladness. St. John the Baptist announces the coming in the Gospel, John 1: 19-28. Priests and Levites were sent to the Baptist to question him. He pronounced himself the "voice of one crying in the wilderness," and urged, "make straight the way of the Lord." In the Epistle is repeated the words in the Introit, with the addition of verse 7, "And the  peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Before the Epistle is said the Collect. "Incline Thine ear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to our petitions: and, by the grace of Thy visitation, enlighten the darkness of our minds..."  The Gradual, or prayer before the Gospel is Psalm 79: v.2,3,2. "Thou, O Lord, that sittest upon the Cherubim, stir up Thy might and come. Give ear, O Thou that rulest Israel: that leadest Joseph like a sheep. The Alleluia follows: "Stir up, O Lord, Thy might, and come to save us. Alleluia.

The Offertory continues the theme, Psalm 84: 2,3: "Lord Thou hast blessed Thy land: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob: Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people."  The Secret prayer continues: "May the Sacrifice of our devotion, we beseech Thee, O Lord, be continually offered up to Thee: may it both complete the institution of the holy mysteries, and wondrously accomplish in us Thy salvation..."

After receiving the Sacraments we pray the Communion, Isaiah 35:4, "Say: Ye fainthearted, take courage and fear not: behold our God will come and will save us." The Postcommunion asks, "We implore, O Lord, Thy mercy: that these divine helps may expiate our sins, and prepare us for the approaching feast..."

We really are becoming anxious for the Christmas Gift and pray more and more for forgiveness, to be made worthy.  Even the Antiphons of Vespers for this Sunday reflect the theme. To see them, take the Bible and read I Corinthians: 4: 5, Isaiah 52: 9, Isaiah 46:12, Isaiah 40:4.

Tomorrow, December 17, begins the time of the Greater Advent Antiphons or Great O's that I wrote about in Adsum on December 12, 2011. There is one for each day through December 23. See the archives.

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Today on facebook there was another quote from Hildegard of Bingen, that marvelous woman of the middle ages. There is something from or about her on facebook regularly.  This quote is from a letter she wrote to the Monk Guilbert in 1175 A.D.

   " Just as a mirror reflects all things, is set in its own container, so too the rational soul is placed in the fragile container of the body. In this way, the body is governed in its earthly life by the soul, and the soul contemplates heavenly things through faith."

Let us contemplate the heavenly gift of Our Savior through our Faith, no matter the pain of these troubled times, and ask that souls be converted to His offerings of Peace, Love and Everlasting Joy in  the Kingdom of God.