Third Sunday of Advent. Gaudate Sunday - Rejoice!

Advent is a time of penance, and so the ordinary liturgical colour for Advent is violet. On the third Sunday of Advent, which is also called Gaudete Sunday, we recognize the joyful anticipation of the season culminating in the birth of Christ at Christmas, by changing the liturgical colour to rose pink. Rose is a “brightening” of the ordinary violet and symbolizes joy. The Introit for Gaudete Sunday is taken from Philippians 4:4,5 ‘Gaudete in Domino semper’, or ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’

Jesus answered, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Matt 11: 4-5

Readings

Is 35:1-6a,10  They shall see the glory of the Lord

Ps R: Lord, come and save us

Js 5:7-10   You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Alleluia, alleluia the Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. Alleluia.

Mt 11:2-11 Go and tell John what you hear and see

Homily Studio podcast

Listen to the Homily Studio for a conversation on this weeks’ scripture readings. The podcast is available at this link from Monday 5 December.

Suggestions for Prayers of Intercession

We pray for:

For Patience: that during Advent we practice waiting and allow God to awaken our trust in the unfolding experiences of each day.

E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

For the Church as she journeys towards the Synod of Bishops 2021-2024: that our walking together as authentic companions in Christ will bear fruit in new ways of being at the joyful service of one another.

E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

For peace in Ukraine:  Many of our brothers and sisters are suffering without basic resources in Ukraine. We pray for protection, warmth and food for those trapped by the war in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

The Jesse Tree – the genealogy of Jesus

For a Jesse Tree Penitential Rite leading to the Liturgy of the Word click HERE

Resources for Advent

The Jesuit Institute has a wide collection of resources for parishes, families and young people HERE