Finals Week! Rejoice!

Christmas gatherings! Rejoice!

Christmas vacation! Rejoice!

The third Sunday of Advent is named “Gaudete”, or “Let us Rejoice!”. Marked by a change in color (rose) it sends an urgency into our preparation. But it’s not really about finals week, or Christmas gatherings or even about vacation… Paul exclaims in the fourth chapter of Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4).

This week is a good time to ask: In what do I rejoice? In whom? Rejoicing is not just about being happy, but rather is about a fundamental stance in life that has more to do with serenity; an absence of anxiety, an interior peace. Peace is surely something we all are seeking, yet we spend a great deal of time being anxious.

This week’s scriptures remind us that real peace, true rejoicing,  is the result of our relationship with others- how unselfish we are. We are called to do our everyday tasks well, to live in moderation and to be both aware and responsive to the needs of others. This might be why many people are so generous during this time of year with their time, their talents or their resources. It is also the reason that it should be a lifestyle and not merely a season.

I pray that your  Advent and Christmas days give you plenty to rejoice about, and that your response is loving and generous. “Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!”  Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Holy New Year!

~Padre