These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

III SUNDAY OF ADVENT

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
to announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God.
(Is 61:1-2)

Rejoice always.
(1 Thes 5:16)

The Third Sunday of Advent has a special name, Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudete” (from Latin) meaning “Rejoice.” It is the Sunday of Joy. We rejoice because the Lord is near. Traditionally, rose colored vestments were allowed instead of the violet vestments of Advent, and so it was also called “Rose” Sunday. It is significant that the passage from the Prophet Isaiah speaks of good news as justice in action.