The Church designates the Third Sunday of Advent as Gaudete Sunday, a term that means “rejoice.” This joy is not superficial or complete, but anticipatory, rooted in the nearness of Christmas. The tone of today’s liturgical prayers and readings directs our attention to this expectant joy, inviting us to rejoice because the fulfillment of God’s promise is drawing near.
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 11:2-11), John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus to ask whether He is “the one who is to come” or if they should continue waiting for another. John had already identified a model, yet he sought confirmation, straight, as we usually say, “from the horse’s mouth.” Similarly, when Jesus later asks the people what they went out to see in the desert, referring to John, He highlights something akin to John’s imagination about Him, in humanity’s ongoing search for an authentic model.
At Christmas, the model we ultimately seek is Jesus Christ Himself. John’s mission was to reveal Him to the creation as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, and his (John’s) exemplary lifestyle explains why the people went into the desert to seek him. They understood that when they follow God’s prophets, who point the way to God (Himself), transformation occurs, just as Isaiah proclaims (Isaiah 35:1-10; in the first reading), deserts bloom, there is strength for the weak, and renewal of lives.
The prophets of God are bearers of glad tidings, what we have come to call the Good News. They proclaim God’s healing power and God’s vindication of the just. In the second reading (James 5:7-10), we are reminded that the prophets also exemplify endurance and patience in the face of hardship as they remain faithful to God’s message.
Gaudete Sunday, expressed through its liturgical color, prayers, and readings, calls us to recognize our own role as God’s messengers. We, too, are called to be prophets of joy. The gospel acclamation (Luke 4:18) says the Spirit of the Lord is also upon us, commissioning us to bring healing, hope, and peace to a world in need. Brothers and sisters, let nothing prevent you from receiving and sharing the joy of the coming Christmas season. This message is among the reasons for assembling today (to reveal and invoke this truth), and the Church invites each of us to share this message of glad tidings with the world.
