Third Sunday in Advent - 2019


Gaudete Sunday - Rejoice! ... the Joy Candle. It's interesting that all three other candles can have slightly different meanings depending on where you look, but this one, this Third Sunday in Advent, is always the same - the Gaudete Candle.

The text that comes with it is from Philippians 4, where the writer writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again, I say Rejoice!". Find your joy in this relationship, in this connection. A joy that passes all understanding.

I remember when my father passed. My brother told me that, at the end, he did not want to 'let go' until he knew that God's promises were true. He lived a Godly life, and still, at the end, he needed to know that that which he believed in all those years was true. I believe that truth was revealed to him upon his passing. Oh, what an experience to have that assurance now, in the midst of life's trials! Maybe that's what this candle is about. A way to give us, through the ages, that assurance?

There is a common question to people contemplating their purpose - "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" I'm reminded of this today because in a way, isn't that what this candle is about? It's about that joy in the middle of suffering, that openness when the world seems to repress, that celebration at the funeral. How can we do that? How can one truly and authentically rejoice when there is 'nothing' to be happy about? The answer is here: God's promises are true. No matter what happens, there is this example of truly unconditional love. Maybe I should do a search on those promises sometime! It would be nice to be able to read them daily and remind myself of that!

The city I live in is going through a very difficult time - so much loss and pain, poverty and anguish. Even the non-profits are feeling the pinch. Yet, at this time, people share, people give. Not because faith calls them to do so, but because something in them nudges them to take a bit of what they have and pass it on to those who don't - money, food, gifts.

So, today - in the middle of my suffering and struggle - I smile. I seek a way to rejoice. I light this third candle and I put my faith and belief in those promises to be true.

Amen.

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