The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. On this Sunday, the priest usually wears rose-colored vestments to represent joy, a shift from the purple vestments worn during the rest of Advent to signify penance. The third Sunday marks the halfway point of Advent, when we shift our focus from meditating on Christ’s second coming to rejoicing in anticipation of His birth.
The readings and messages associated with Gaudete Sunday encourage us to rejoice because the Lord is near. As Christmas draws closer, we are called to joyfully prepare ourselves to welcome Christ into our hearts and lives in new ways. Though we must still repent of our sins, the promise of salvation through Jesus gives us reason for great joy.
Gospel Reading
The Gospel reading for the third Sunday of Advent is taken from the opening verses of Matthew 11. In this passage, John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3).
Jesus replies by telling them: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” (Matthew 11:4-5). He concludes by declaring: “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” (Matthew 11:6).
By performing miraculous signs and preaching good news to the poor, Jesus shows He is indeed the Messiah that John and all Israel had been waiting for. Jesus’ words and works testify that He is the promised Christ come to redeem the world. Though circumstances may seem bleak, the Gospel urges us to see God’s saving plan unfolding and take joyful hope in His promises.
Second Reading
The second reading for the third Sunday of Advent is taken from the opening chapter of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. Paul prays that the Lord will increase their love and make them worthy of God’s call, so Christ may be glorified through them. He reminds them that God has called them into fellowship with Jesus. Paul expresses joyful confidence that God will strengthen them and make them holy in preparation for Christ’s coming.
Even in the midst of persecutions and trials, Paul encourages the Christian community to recognize God’s saving plan at work. Their steadfast faith and mutual love testify that Jesus is alive and active among them through the Spirit. God will continue preparing them for Christ’s return and fulfill every good purpose and work of faith. This reading reminds us to see evidence of God’s grace in our lives and rejoice in the salvation promised to us through Christ.
Old Testament Reading
The Old Testament reading for Gaudete Sunday is taken from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah proclaims a message of hope and comfort for God’s people, reassuring them of His abiding presence:
“The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers and rejoice with joyful song…Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you.” (Isaiah 35:1-2,4).
Isaiah depicts the joy of Israel’s future redemption using images of abundant vegetation blossoming in the wilderness. Where once there was desolation and drought, the prophet foresees the radiant blooming of new life. This points ahead to Christ’s coming, which will transform the wilderness of human hearts through the healing water of baptism and the green growth of virtue. The saving knowledge of God will enlighten all the nations, blossoming in the once-barren souls of the Gentiles.
Calls to Rejoice
On Gaudete Sunday, the Scriptures call us to rejoice because the Lord is at hand (Philippians 4:4-5). We rejoice in the forgiveness of our sins, the promise of eternal life, and the indwelling Holy Spirit who nourishes our faith and makes Christ present within us.
Though we have not yet reached the joy of the Nativity, we see its light dawning on the horizon. The world still longs for peace and justice, but the Prince of Peace is coming soon! The Savior we await in hopeful longing will free us from sin and make all things new.
With thanksgiving and joyful anticipation, we cry out:
“Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.”
The Lord will come and not delay; cleanse us, O Lord, from all our sin. (Entrance Antiphon, Sunday 3 of Advent)
Liturgical Color and Environment
On Gaudete Sunday, the priest wears rose-colored vestments at Mass as a visual reminder to rejoice. We light the rose candle on the Advent wreath, and churches may be decorated with roses. This change in color briefly interrupts the penitential purple of the Advent season and signals the coming rejoicing at Christmas.
The joy is still measured and contained, however – we are not yet at the full explosion of glory and light that awaits us at the Nativity. The purple vestments and subdued lighting will return next week as we focus on the final preparations for Christ’s coming. But this Sunday grants us a glimpse of the radiant light to come, stirring up joy in hopeful hearts.
Call to Conversion
Among the messages of Gaudete Sunday is a call to continual conversion. The readings invite us to prepare our hearts to receive Christ by repenting of sin and embracing the transforming power of the Gospel.
Though we rejoice that the Lord is at hand, we cannot grow complacent in the Christian life. We are called to undergo ongoing conversion of mind and heart to live out the demands of our baptismal faith. Our world still cries out for the peace and justice that Christ came to bring. God calls us to build up His kingdom each day by the way we love God and neighbor.
The call to conversion is not a burden, but part of the joyful vocation of all disciples of Jesus. The grace made available to us through the sacraments strengthens and equips us to live in a manner befitting our status as sons and daughters of God. Conformed ever more closely to Christ, we become instruments of justice, peace, and healing in a world thirsting for the redemption only He can provide.
Prayers and Blessing
The blessing prayer for the Advent wreath focuses our attention on Christ as the source of true joy:
“We praise you, the Lord our God,
for John your servant, who prepared the way for Christ the Lord.
Bless + us as we light the candles on this wreath.
May its growing light lift our hearts with the hope and joy
of Christ’s coming among us.”
The Prayer over the Offerings also directs our minds to the joyful hope made possible by Christ’s incarnation:
“May the sacrifice of our worship, Lord, we pray,
be offered to you unceasingly,
to complete what was begun in sacred mystery
and powerfully accomplish for us your saving work.”
Preface of Advent
The Preface for the third Sunday of Advent reminds us why we rejoice:
“We praise you and we bless you, God of glory and light,
who justified us sinners by making us children of Abraham;
who make this present age of darkness radiant
with the hope of one who bears the promise of eternal light.”
Though the world sits in gloom and shadow,
the promised Savior soon comes to scatter sin and illuminate our hearts with His grace and truth. His redemptive work makes even this age of darkness radiant by the beams of hope in His light.
The Preface reminds us that the light of Christ’s promised coming gives hope-filled cause for joy even amidst present afflictions. The radiance of His saving truth will shine all the brighter against the fading gloom of sin and error.
Conclusion
Gaudete Sunday reminds us to lift up our eyes in joyful hope as the fulfillment of God’s promises draws ever nearer. The readings call us to rejoice because our redemption is at hand. Jesus comes to free us from sin and make us children of God. Though we have not yet reached the manger in Bethlehem, we see its light brightening the horizon as we journey through Advent. With joyful confidence, we cry, “Come, Lord Jesus!” As Christmas approaches, let us open our hearts wide to receive our Savior-King, who alone is the source of true and lasting joy.
| Keyword | Root Word |
|---|---|
| message of the third Sunday of Advent | Advent |