Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, Gaudete. Dominus enim prope est. Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again, rejoice! The Lord is near! Today is Gaudete Sunday. The Scripture Readings have joy as their dominant theme. Rose vestments are worn on this Sunday, moving away from a penitential mood to one of jubilation.
Last week, we heard the call of St. John the Baptist, encouraging us to “Repent!” and to “Prepare the way of the Lord!” The call to repentance is actually a joyful message, for as we turn our hearts back to the Lord, we see Him approaching to show us His mercy. He is near to us in His Mercy. This Wednesday, we will have our Advent Penance Service at 7 PM, and many visiting priests will be here to offer the sacrament. Remember, there is more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repenting. It is imperative that we prepare our hearts to receive our Infant King! If you cannot make the penance service, there will be extra hours of confessions leading up to Christmas; please see the bulletin.
Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, Gaudete. Dominus enim prope est. The celebration of the Lord’s birth is just ten days away! Advent and Christmas traditions are important. As I mentioned, one tradition is the arrangement of the Christmas Creche. My father was very creative and led our family in arranging our Nativity scene. This Sunday is Bambinelli Sunday, on which the Infant Jesus is blessed. It was 50 years ago that St. Paul VI began this tradition! I hope you and your families have this tradition too.
Pope Francis recently wrote an Apostolic Letter Admirabile Signum on the Nativity scene. I encourage all of you to read it. It begins with these words: “The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder. The depiction of Jesus’ birth is itself a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. The nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture. As we contemplate the Christmas story, we are invited to set out on a spiritual journey, drawn by the humility of the God who became man in order to encounter every man and woman. We come to realize that so great is His love for us that He became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with Him.”
Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, Gaudete. Dominus enim prope est. Although we should rejoice in the Lord always and experience His nearness, for some people these days are difficult. When we lose a loved one, the holidays are especially difficult. This will be the first Christmas without my father, and I am sure it will be most difficult on my mother. I imagine others have a similar experience. Then, there are those who suffer from poverty – not only material poverty, while they see others spending lavishly, but also those who suffer from the terrible poverty of loneliness.
Christmas is also difficult for disabled persons, who have very few people in their lives beyond immediate family and social workers. In his Message for the World Day for Disabled Persons, Pope Francis wrote: “It is necessary to care for and accompany persons with disabilities in every condition of life …with strength and tenderness, to take on board situations of marginalization … And let us not forget the many “hidden exiles,” who live within our homes, our families, our societies. I think of people of every age, especially the elderly who, also due to disabilities, are at times considered a burden, a “cumbersome presence,” and risk being discarded, of being denied concrete job prospects for the construction of their future.”
Although I try to be in many places and visit many people, I cannot be everywhere. I am counting on you to bring joy to those who struggle during this season. Be attentive to the needs of your neighbors, especially the elderly, the disabled, those who have lost a loved one, who suffer from depression or the pain of divorce. The Lord is near, but He comes to them through you. Help spread joy this Advent and Christmas!
Speaking of being everywhere, I must return to Washington this Sunday for a few days to work for the Apostolic Nuncio and to preach the Advent Day of Reflection for the priests of the Diocese of Arlington. I have Good News to share: The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Pope’s personal representative, will be coming to visit our parish next year to help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of our parish church! Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, Gaudete. Dominus enim prope est.
Fr. Fernandes
