Today is known as Guadete Sunday. It is a word meaning to REJOICE. There is something special about the word rejoice, because it implies happiness but it does not stop at joyfulness. There is something implied in the word that pushes us toward HOPE. When we rejoice in something or someone it is because what has happened gives us a joy about what is to come – a new hope. Again we hear the gospel of John the Baptist heralding the coming of Christ. So I invite you to focus on the first reading today, the one from Isaiah. This is a real “Guadete” reading. One that gives hope to the people who are downtrodden in the society of the time – and perhaps in our time. Let us reflect on what a modern understanding of this liberation passage might be: The Spirit of the Lord has been given me…. Each of us are imbued with the gifts of the Holy Spirit TODAY The Lord has sent ME to bring good news to the poor…. Good News of compassion, love, giving, prayer, forgiveness To bind up hearts that are broken…… to give another chance, to forgive, to heal, to nurture, To proclaim liberty to captives…… to move on, to let go, to not judge, to bring peace, To proclaim a year of favour from the Lord…. to set goals, to begin again, to remember God’s love, to renew our lives and commit ourselves to being Christian. Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy. The joy of this Sunday comes both from the message of the readings and from the anticipation that Christmas is nearing. As described in the Isaian passage, the Messiah is the one imbued with the spirit and with the power of the prophet, the one who will fulfil the promises of God. It becomes obvious in the Gospel that the Messiah is the one proclaimed by the Baptist. John cleared a path for the coming of the anointed one, and from that time on the lives of believers have been the pathway through which the Messiah has entered the world.
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Today is known as Guadete Sunday. It is a word meaning to REJOICE. There is something special about the word rejoice, because it implies happiness but it does not stop at joyfulness. There is something implied in the word that pushes us toward HOPE. When we rejoice in something or someone it is because what has happened gives us a joy about what is to come – a new hope. Again we hear the gospel of John the Baptist heralding the coming of Christ. So I invite you to focus on the first reading today, the one from Isaiah. This is a real “Guadete” reading. One that gives hope to the people who are downtrodden in the society of the time – and perhaps in our time. Let us reflect on what a modern understanding of this liberation passage might be:
The Spirit of the Lord has been given me…. Each of us are imbued with the gifts of the Holy Spirit TODAY
The Lord has sent ME to bring good news to the poor…. Good News of compassion, love, giving, prayer, forgiveness
To bind up hearts that are broken…… to give another chance, to forgive, to heal, to nurture,
To proclaim liberty to captives…… to move on, to let go, to not judge, to bring peace,
To proclaim a year of favour from the Lord….
to set goals, to begin again, to remember God’s love, to renew our lives and commit ourselves to being Christian.
Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, the
Sunday of Joy. The joy of this Sunday comes both from the message of the
readings and from the anticipation that Christmas is nearing. As described in
the Isaian passage, the Messiah is the one imbued with the spirit and with the
power of the prophet, the one who will fulfil the promises of God. It becomes
obvious in the Gospel that the Messiah is the one proclaimed by the Baptist.
John cleared a path for the coming of the anointed one, and from that time on
the lives of believers have been the pathway through which the Messiah has
entered the world.
Fancy a game of Indoor Bowls or Cards?
Come along to the Parish Centre at 9.30am on the 18th December. New faces very welcome to this
social morning.
Thank you to Father Sean Lynskey, from Inglewood for kindly celebrating the baptism, while I was away, of Kees Reuben de Gier, son of Lars and Kirsty,
brother to Maddison, Imogen and Ashleigh.
May the celebration of Christmas bring them much joy and happiness.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News
to the poor. ALLELUIA!
Gospel John 1:6-8, 19-28
“There is one coming among you...”
Prayers of the Faithful
The church is called to rejoice and be grateful, and yet we yearn because there is so much more to come … so in hope
and anticipation, we pray
We have tasted peace, yet so many live in the midst of violence and war ... so in hope
and anticipation, we pray
We live in freedom, but so many are held captive by inequality, prejudice and lack of opportunity … so in hope and anticipation,
we pray
There are signs of love around us, but we are a flawed, often unloving people … so
in hope and anticipation, we pray
For a spirit of quiet hope in this
community, especially among the sick, the
dying and the grieving … in hope and
anticipation, we pray
Let us pray together:
God of hope, we thank you and rejoice for all you have already done for us. We
see your work in many ways and places. But our yearning is not yet
satisfied, and there are those who have lost hope. Keep us mindful of your
promises and ready to welcome your Son among us. We ask this in his holy name,
Amen.
.
Parish Priest: Fr. Michael O’Brien Phone: 0422 308 955 or 4671 1091
St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730 Care for the Aged Co-ordinator: Mrs Jane Blomley Ph: 4675 4132 Parish Safeguarding Rep: Mrs Carmel Schaumberg 0419 786 738 Father Michael’s house Phone: 4671 1091 [email protected] 69 Callandoon Street or PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390