Dear Parishioner
The third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudete Sunday" to remind ourselves that we are preparing for the very joyful occasion of the birth of Jesus. We light the rose candle, and rose vestments are recommended for the liturgy today. The common theme of the day's Scripture readings is one of joy and encouragement. The readings urge us to make the preparations required of us as we await the rebirth of Jesus in our hearts and lives. Holy Scripture reminds us that the coming of Jesus, past, present and future, is the reason for our rejoicing.
The Prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, encourages the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to rejoice because their God, Yahweh, is their strong Guide, Provider and Protector. In today's Responsorial Psalm (Luke 1:46 ff.) Mary rejoices in the great blessing given to her by exclaiming: "My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Saviour."
St. Paul, in the second reading, advises the Thessalonian Christians to "rejoice always" by leading blameless, holy and thankful lives guided by the Holy Spirit, because Christ's second coming is near, and he is faithful in his promise to reward them.
Today's Gospel tells us that John the Baptist came to bear witness to Jesus as the Light of the world. The Baptizer wants all the Jews to rejoice because the long-expected Messiah, as the light of the world, will remove the darkness of sin from the world. We rejoice at the humility of John the Baptizer who tells the Sanhedrin members challenging him that he is unworthy even to become the slave of Jesus the Messiah. We also rejoice in the sincerity and commitment of John who spent himself completely in preparing people for the long-awaited messiah. We have an additional reason to rejoice because, like John the Baptizer, we, too, are chosen to bear witness to Christ Jesus, the Light of the world.
Let us pray today that god may give us the grace to give testimony to Jesus. John had all the possibility to be the centre of attention, but he humbly deflects away and points it all to Jesus. It is a human weakness to seek fame and glory and attention for everything that we accomplish in our life. But John teaches us to silently do our witnessing and recede to the background. May god bless us all as we rejoice in his coming.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
| SATURDAY 23/SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER | ||
| Sunday Masses as normal: | ||
| Saturday Vigil Mass: | ||
| Christ Our Saviour | 5.00pm | Vigil Mass |
| Sunday Masses: | ||
| St Augustine | 9.00am | Solemn Mass |
| New Hall | 10.45am | Solemn Mass |
| Christmas Masses | ||
| SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER Christmas Eve - 1ST MASS OF CHRISTMAS | ||
| St Augustine |
8.00pm 8.30pm |
Carols followed by Vigil Mass |
| MONDAY 25 DECEMBER Christmas Day | ||
| St Augustine | 9.00am | Solemn Mass |
| TUESDAY 26 DECEMBER Boxing Day Feast of St Stephen | ||
| St Augustine | 11.00am | Solemn Mass |
The Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Masses fulfil the normal Sunday obligation. The Christmas Eve Vigil Mass and Monday morning Christmas Day Mass fulfil the Christmas Day obligation but not the 4th Sunday of Advent obligation.
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Canon Tony McKentey, Mary Braun, Sabina d'Souza
Years Mind:
Wednesday: Fr William Guinevan
Friday: Fr Arthur Cowd
Saturday: Bp Brian Foley
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16
The kingdom of David will always stand secure before the Lord.
Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27
The mystery, which was kept secret for endless ages, is now made clear.
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son.