The Third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday,” which comes from the Latin word that means, “Rejoice.” We rejoice because Christmas is just around the corner and because the one foretold by John the Baptist has come into the world to save us from our sins. Christmas is a testimony of God’s love to us, making it a feast of joy and light. Jesus came down as a light in a world enveloped by darkness, carrying a message of forgiveness and peace. We are about to begin the Misa de Gallo which usually ends before dawn. It expresses that Jesus’ coming removes the fear of darkness, that His light can conquer all evil. It points to the Christmas event and hopefully prepares us to let Jesus’ message directs our lives toward peace.
In the gospel, John sends his disciples to Jesus with a question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus told them, “Go back and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regains 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.” Jesus convinced John’s disciples by his deeds, not by his words. People sometimes believe a fortune-teller for she seems to have a special knowledge, or they allow their decisions to be dictated by writers of horoscopes. Credibility for Jesus came from seeing good being done to others, and he was willing to be evaluated by this. He truly came as a blessing for the poor, the sick, the sinner and the dead.
