Gaudete

What is "Gaudete" Sunday? 
Click the word "Gaudete" (above), or click here for more information.

Emmanuel - God With Us (reflection)

December Fire

December Fire

four flames
pierce the darkness
hearts of light

four lanterns
burning brightly
in the night

four fires
signal Hope
a Star so bright

Rejoice!

On Gaudete ("Rejoice") Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, we rejoice in the coming of the Lord. Christmas is just days away. As we prepare our hearts, perhaps we, too, like the baby in Elizabeth's womb, will leap with joy and anticipation at the coming of the Christ Child. (Click the photo to view a presentation of the hymn, Gaudete.)

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 14, 2008

Gospel: (John 1:6-8)

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him…“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.”

Reflection:

John knew how to die. He knew how to speak the truth even when it cost dearly. He knew how to engage in an active public ministry to which crowds flocked, but also how to withdraw into the desert for prayer and penance. John the Baptist makes it very clear that we will live genuinely for Christ only if we are willing to die for him. Only the person who is practiced in the art of daily dying will be able to hand himself over to God in an act of final resignation, as John did. Daily dying consists in pouring out one’s energies in the service of the poor, in listening attentively, in praying faithfully, in living harmoniously with others, in seeking reconciliation, in doing penance, in renouncing anything that is an obstacle to the following of Christ. John the Baptist calls us to prepare the way of the Lord by eliminating from our lives whatever impedes his coming. (Maloney, Seasons in Spirituality, p.48)

Words of Father Robert Maloney, C.M.

“Let me suggest that today, for us members of the Vincentian Family, an asceticism like that of John the Baptist might take these forms especially: rising early to praise God and strengthen our brothers and sisters in daily prayer; employing moderation and a critical sense in using television and other media; withholding divisive words and negative criticism; being disciplined and balanced in what we eat and drink; working hard, as servants do, for our “lords and masters,” the poor.” (Maloney, Seasons in Spirituality, p.48)

Discussion: (Share thoughts on the readings after a moment of silence)

What form of John the Baptist’s asceticism do you feel called to practice this Advent?

Closing Prayer:

As our Advent journey continues, we turn in hope to Christ and ask:

-Come, Lord Jesus, and do not delay.

Watch over all children, that they may know your love,

-Come, Lord Jesus, and do not delay.

Protect all who are abused and neglected,

-Come, Lord Jesus, and do not delay.

Strengthen all Vincentians in their efforts to reveal your love to others,

-Come, Lord Jesus, and do not delay. Amen

(Souce: Vincentian Reflections)

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Holy Card: Immaculate Heart of Mary statue at Fatima Shrine in Russia (click image to learn about Our Lady of Fatima)

Preparing for the Unexpected

Second Sunday of Advent

Gospel: (Luke 3:1-6)

The word of God was spoken to John in the desert. He went about the entire region of the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins, as is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A herald’s voice in the desert, crying, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be leveled. The windings shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

Reflection:

John the Baptist urges us to “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Our culture tells us to prepare for the birth of a Baby, an event that evokes wonderful feelings of warmth and happiness. But John’s message of “repentance for the forgiveness of sins” suggests that we must examine our lives in light of the salvation we seek. It is difficult to orient our lives, anticipation, and preparation with balance and vision toward a glorious Christ who is yet to come. It is far easier to prepare for a Jesus who is a sweet, innocent Babe. The gospel challenges us to take the real events of our everyday lives—all the suffering and pain, all the anxiety and hopelessness, all the joy and peace—and see them as means to recognize the presence of Christ to us. This is what Advent is all about—recognizing the presence of Christ in our lives as salvation already come. (Living Liturgy, p. 10)

Vincentian Meditation:

God speaks to us in all sorts of ways: through Scriptures, through his Church, but also through all the events, great and small, that happen to us. Since most of our lives are made up of very ordinary tasks which we must do each day, it is in these especially that the voice of the Lord is to be heard. We make the mistake so often of expecting God to speak to us through some great event or happening when, in fact, all the time He is speaking to us in all the small events of each day. For all of us, it would be a great grace if, in all the circumstances of our lives, in all that we do, in accepting all that happens to us, pleasant and unpleasant, we could say, “It is the Lord.” St. Vincent recommends that “when something unexpected happens to us in body or mind, good or bad, we are to accept it without fuss as from God’s loving hand.” If we could live that ideal of St. Vincent, we would have great peace in our lives. (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p.175)

Discussion: (Share thoughts on the readings after a moment of silence)

What unexpected happenings have you “accepted without fuss as from God’s loving hand?”

Closing Prayer:

Come Lord Jesus, give us the grace to,

- accept all events as “coming from God’s loving hand.”

Come Lord Jesus, give us the grace to,

- “Make ready the way of the Lord.”

As we eagerly await your coming, come to all people

-especially the poor and the forgotten. Amen

(Source: Vincentian Reflections)

SVdP Nativity Program

Throughout the United States, the St. Vincent de Paul Society conferences, including OLG Conference, are participating in an effort to bring the true Christmas message to those we visit. (Click photo for more information.)

Advent

In the darkness, there is a Light for the world. Sometimes it's harder to see than others. To see better, it helps to get quiet. To focus. To sit and wonder. Like the stars, the sun and the moon, it's there whether we see it or not. If you don't see it today, perhaps you will later. A long time ago, a very long time ago, the story goes, wise men saw it, and followed.

A Vincentian Family Christmas (meditation)

For a lovely Vincentian "Advent meditation" video, click the picture. The words of St. Vincent and other Vincentians ring true during this holy season of Advent.