The Joy of Gaudete Sunday

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday. The name comes from the first word of the introit at Mass: Gaudete – Latin for “Rejoice”. It is represented by the pink (officially “rose”) color of the candle on the Advent wreath, as opposed to the purple of the other weeks, and the corresponding pink vestments worn in the liturgy. Actually, I remember a priest saying on one Gaudete Sunday (perhaps slightly embarrassed at having to don vestments of this shade) “It’s not pink, people, it’s salmon. Salmon are strong, manly fish!”

The joy we feel on Gaudete Sunday stems from the fact that we are moving ever closer to celebrating the Nativity of the Lord – and we can’t contain this joy! It simply must overflow into the lives of others. Partaking in the apostolate of Confession can help that become a reality.

What is the apostolate of Confession? Many of us have friends and family members who have been away from God, the Church, and the sacraments for years. There is no better time than Advent for them to return to the Father’s house, as did the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). In the Gospel account of Jesus healing a paralytic, we are told that his friends carried him to Jesus, lying on a mat. But because of the dense crowds surrounding the Master, they were unable to reach him. They resorted to digging a hole through the roof and lowering him down to Jesus! Not sure the homeowner was thrilled with the new skylight (it may have been Peter’s or even Jesus’ own house), but the text says: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven’” (Mark 2:5, emphasis mine). It took some ingenuity and effort for these men to get their friend to Jesus. Many of our friends are paralyzed in their interior life because of sin. We must find ways to bring them to Christ this Advent, so they can hear his word of forgiveness in the sacrament of Confession, and be set free to rejoice in the Lord.