Gaudete Sunday. The 3rd Sunday of Advent. I get to wear rose colored vestments at Mass. The word Gaudete means rejoice. Like Lent, Advent is a penitential season, so the priest normally wears purple vestments. But on Gaudete Sunday, having passed the midpoint of Advent, the Church lightens the mood a little, and the priest may wear rose vestments. The change in color provides us with encouragement to continue our spiritual preparation— especially prayer and fasting— for Christmas.
One of the things we do on these days is read the Scriptures and reflect on their meaning for us. We focused on the Advent readings about John the Baptist. We reflected on the idea that John never preached about himself. His consistent message, as we read in the first chapter of the Gospel of John, was to "testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light." A few verses later, when asked who he was John admitted that when was not the Christ.
Our presenter, Fr. Tom, asked us to reflect on the example of John. He reminded us that our single purpose in life is to lead people to the light of Christ. Many of us preachers and priests tend to think we are as important as the message itself. Fr. Tom said we have to guard against an "edifice complex", which he defined as the need to put our name and stamp on everything. I let out a loud laugh when I heard that one. All the priests turned and looked at me with something close to the look I often witness mothers giving their children when they become a little restless. I think Fr. Tom may have been glad that someone laughed at that one. An edifice complex! O Lord Jesus deliver us all--preachers, priests and people in the pews--from any sense of self that may obscure the Light you come to give us. St. Francis, I think it was, once said that Angles can fly because they take themselves lightly. This 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, is one of those days when we are reminded to rejoice in Christ Jesus, take ourselves lightly, and share the Joy!
Peace, Father Mike