MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God” (Philippians 4:4-6).
Rejoice! The Latin word is Gaudete and it is from this reading from St. Paul to the Christians of Philippi in Greece that we get the meaning of Gaudete Sunday. He was writing from prison, yet he loved those people and wanted them to know that he found great joy in sharing the Good News of Christ. Paul wanted them to embrace that joy as well, despite the difficulties and dangers that can confront all those who follow our Savior.
We are now more than halfway through Advent so we single out this day for joy. The Church wants us to appreciate the incredible exultation that will be ours with the coming celebration of Christ’s birth. Because we are approaching Christmas, we live in expectation of eternal life because the Holy Infant is truly the Son of God who came to change everything, everything for our good. Rejoice indeed!
Celebrate Advent with the missions of the Church. Visit MISSIO.org.