17 Dec
Sun
3rd Sunday of Advent (C)
Zeph. 3:14-18a
(R.Ps.) Is. 12:2-3,4,5-6
Phil. 4:4-7
Lk. 3:10-18
(Ps Wk III)
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Today's Mass is suffused with joy. It is sometimes called 'Gaudete' Sunday from the first word of the entrance antiphon in Latin: Gaudete, Rejoice! The words 'joy' and 'rejoice' keep occurring. And with good reason. We are a little more than a week away from celebrating the birth of Jesus and the Kingdom of God which He will inaugurate in our world. A new way of life is being prepared for us, a wonderful way of life for us to live and one we are called on to invite others to share.

Joy should be the basic mood of the Christian. It should not be something artificial or forced but something that bubbles up naturally from our sharing Christ's vision of life. At times one gets the impression that it is not the experience of many Christians, who see their faith as a burden, telling them all the things they cannot do. There used to be a saying, "A sad saint is a sad kind of saint." A sad Christian is a contradiction in terms.

Christmas is a time of joy but let the rest of the year be the same for each one of us.



People of Zion, sing and shout for joy!

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That Christ, meek and humble of heart, may inspire those responsible for nations to use power wisely and responsibly.
Elaboration

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