3rd Sunday of Advent: Dec 17, 2023 - Joyful, Thankful, Prayerful - Aligning our Identity with Christ

Every Third Sunday of Advent is celebrated as Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. Amid the busy Advent season, the Church invites its people to be joyful, happy, and rejoicing. It is an invitation to celebrate life and work. Despite the weariness and tiredness of the whole year, as we try to complete works that have been due for a long time, still there is a possibility to enjoy life! Therefore, the liturgical readings of this Sunday invite us to reflect on life beyond work and business, beyond running around and gasping for breath, as if that is the only purpose for which we live in this world! Jesus comes into our midst. He comes amid our busy lives. He shows us the way to God. Just like St. John the Baptist prepared the people of his time to receive the Messiah, Jesus brings God's abundance to us.