December 13, 2020 - "Gaudete Sunday"

For many centuries this particular Sunday in Advent has had a special name “Gaudete Sunday.”  This comes from today’s opening antiphon which begins with the word Gaudete, which means “rejoice.”  Originally Advent was a forty-day period of penance that used to begin on November 12.  Because this is one day after the Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Advent used to be called “St. Martin’s Lent.”  Now Advent begins on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew (sometime between November 27-December 3).  While Advent is primarily penitential in spirit, it also reflects the joy of anticipation.  The expectation not only refers to Christ’s first appearance on earth but also reflects his Second Coming.  For the people of God who are waiting in between there is a third coming of Christ whereby he is in the hearts of all the faithful by his grace.
 
During the season of Advent, the Church prepares us for Christ’s coming in a three-fold manner:  We have Old Testament prophecies, particularly from the prophet Isaiah that provide a progressive revelation.  Our longing for the Redeemer develops at the same time.
 
The second way in which we are prepared is through John the Baptist, the herald of the Arrival of the Savior in history.  John the Baptist shows us that Advent is a time of conversion.  His words lead us to a genuine reformation.
 
Since our salvation is built on a human framework it is not surprising that God chose to work through the immaculately conceived Mary who became the Mother of God.  Mary is a most exemplary model of God’s indwelling as she bodily contained and sheltered him.
 
In Isaiah, John the Baptist, and Mary, we have models of our longing, repentance, and intimacy with God.  On the last seven days the O Antiphons are intoned, with holy desires, in which enters the great anguish that our Lord has planted in our hearts:  the anguish for salvation of souls. But the horizon lights up:  He, for Whom the “nations cry,” is coming.
 
Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!
 
Until next week,
Fr. John