Today is Gaudete Sunday, a day set aside during the Advent season to acknowledge that even though we are still very much in Advent mode and still not yet in the full blown celebration of Christmas, we are getting closer and closer. "Gaudete" means "rejoice". This day reminds us that even though we are still awaiting the coming of Christ, we do so with joy. We rejoice on this day because we know that our Savior is getting closer to us, like the joyful exception of two lovers who will soon be reunited.
This is a good day to recall and reflect on the meeting of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. At this beautiful meeting, John the Baptist, a mere infant in the womb of his mother Elizabeth, leaps for joy at the presence of Jesus, also an unborn baby in the womb of His mother. We too are called to leap for joy at the presence of Christ among us. Once again, the whole celebration of Christmas is that God Himself, our Savior, has come among us, and this is an occasion of great joy.
After this, Our Lady, filled with the Holy Spirit, says her famous "Magnificat", "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior." This Christmas, our souls too are meant to proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Our spirits too are made to rejoice in God our savior. On this day, invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with His presence, as He did Mary. Ask Him to fill you with the joy that only He can give, knowing that the One who comes to save us is near at hand. Our lover is coming to hold us close to His heart. Yes, we are still waiting; but we do so with great rejoicing, asking the Holy Spirit to help us proclaim the greatness of the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior, so that when He comes at Christmas, we too may leap for joy.
Pax Vobiscum
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