It's Gaudete Sunday—What Does That Mean?! (VIDEO)

We are excited to present a series of videos to help you prepare for Advent! For the coming Sundays, we will publish a video featuring Fr. Ananias with insights into the season.

Peace be with you. Fr. A here for the Third Sunday of Advent.

So, in the midst of penitential purple the Church exhorts us, even commands us today in the liturgy, to “rejoice!” It is Gaudete Sunday and the Church somewhat sets aside, though briefly, thoughts of penitential preparation and the purple that puts us in mind of Lent. SHe hopes that her priests will dawn their twice yearly worn chasubles in the color of subtle and subdued rose (NOT bubble gum pink…but that’s a reflection for another time!).

What is Gaudete Sunday? It’s the Third Sunday of Advent, so named for the opening antiphon of the Introit: Gaudete in Domino Semper (Rejoice in the Lord always). As in the midst of Lent, the Church desires us to take a break this Sunday from our self-imposed penances in preparation for the Advent of our God.

“Penances?" you ask!

"What do you mean penances? Nobody every told me there was penance in Advent!"

Remember people, the priest has dawned purple the last two weeks. What does purple signify in the Church? Penance!

What are you talking about, you say? "Why, I’m on my way to my twelfth Christmas Party!” May I ask if you’ve been to an Advent Party yet?

Is the Advent wreath at the center of the subdued and subtle decorations that adorn your house? Is there an Advent wreath? No? Just a plastic bristly, toilet brush Christmas tree, right? Pre-lit, no doubt, right? That’s penance enough for me…I’ll tell you.

Forget the sugar plums for a moment

But, let’s get back to the thoughts of penance, and not sugar plums dancing in your heads. Statistics show that this pre-Christmas shopping season has us spending more money than we actually have in order to over-fill inordinately exaggerated wish lists. More credit cards melt at this time of year than at any other. More unnecessary debt is incurred than at any other time of the year.

Please, don’t get me wrong, your generosity and good cheer are certainly a sign of your charity. But, let me ask you, while running about looking for the latest over-priced baby doll or action figure, did you ever figure out how much time, gasoline and patience you wasted? Did you ever stop to think that if you built into your expected Christmas shopping budget say, 10% of its total as a donation to the local food banks, or Saint Vincent DePaul, or a clothes pantry or maternity closet, that you would undoubtedly cause major rejoicing for somebody?

How about 10% of the time wasted running from store to store and mall to mall? Take that 10% and go to your inner room, close your door, and speak to your Father in secret. Or go to Mass in anticipation of the impending feast.

The penitential "how to"

Yes, this is a penitential time. Could you go to an Advent party and forgo the eggnog and offer it up for alcoholics? Could you pass by the buffet and tell the Lord you’re in union with the hungry? Or as you approach the address of the party and see a house festooned with lights and decorations and dozens of people going in and out, could you utter a prayer for the homeless and displaced?

People, those are penitential acts! They are efforts to demonstrate to our good God that, while we are able to rejoice, our hearts are never far from those who are like He was when He was born. By that I mean that he was homeless, hungry, dressed in tattered rags (which we so sweetly call swaddling clothes), he was unwanted, he was shivering, alien and ever-despised.

Look, while you’re “rejoicing in God always” and enjoying the good things the hand of Providence bestows, believe that you could help others to rejoice—at least somewhat—by being mindful of them and of God. Take some time to consciously cause rejoicing for another, would you? Thus may we all rejoice, in God, in the Kingdom, for all days.

Thy Kingdom come. Adveniat regnum Tuum. Benedictions on your Advent.