SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER 2020 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT GOSPEL:

JOHN 1: 6-8, 19-28
JOHN THE BAPTIST, A WITNESS TO SPEAK FOR THE LIGHT


The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday, Gaudete meaning Rejoice! Today we rejoice in the imminent celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, our Redeemer. We light the rose-coloured candle on our Advent wreath to symbolise our hope and joyful expectation. (Gaudete Sunday in Advent parallels Laetare Sunday in Lent).

John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament prophets, is again the focus of today’s Gospel passage. Sometimes described as the ‘bridge’ between the Old Testament and the New Testament, John’s mission was to point us towards the coming of Christ our Light. John the Baptist was a faithful and loyal witness, unwavering in his faith in the coming Messiah. We are the witnesses of our time.

We pray today that our faith will reflect that of John the Baptist and that, in the darkness of our lives, we will see the light of Christ in others and, through the joy of faith, be a beacon of hope to others, especially in their dark and uncertain times.