December 14, 2025・ 3rd Sunday of Advent ・Gaudete Sunday (A)

Isaiah 35.1-6・Psalm 146.1+2+10a,6c+7,8ac+9bc・ James 5.7-10・ Matthew 11.2-11

Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent Year A, is a time of joyful anticipation. The readings focus on hope, patience, and recognizing God’s presence among us. Gaudete Sunday reminds us that our waiting is filled with joy and hope. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we trust in God’s promises and His perfect timing.

Today`s liturgy emphasizes a time of joyful anticipation as we prepare for Christ`s coming.  In the context of our present Christian life, it simply suggests us to have a heart joyfully anticipating a worthy celebration of Christ`s birth in Bethlehem. We suppose to celebrate with our respective family, the whole Christendom and with all people God`s love though Christ`s birth . While Advent season maintains inclusivity of a penitential mood as an appropriate way to prepare ourselves to welcome the coming of the Lord (Christ`s birth & Christ`s second coming), we intend to have a relaxing break today reminding us of the celebrations soon to come. So today reminds us that our “waiting” must be filled with joy. A simple saying/understanding that “joy grows in waiting” brings a lot of sense at least for today`s suggested point for reflection.

Our first reading today tackles about the same hope we have been reflecting since the first day of Advent. We are being summoned to rejoice and continue to be strong in the light of our Christian faith. Just like the dessert even having a general reputation of being barren will reach such a time of blooming abundant flowers. It reminds us that we have a God who strengthens the weak and brings justice to all: the blind will see, the deaf will hear, and “the tongue of the mute will sing”. We have a consoling gospel reading today especially for those who are courageous enough spreading to people the message of hope, peace and rejoicing to people. The message of John the Baptist from was made real and was witnessed by the people surrounding Jesus.  

{There was a confirmation that Jesus is the one who John the Baptist was telling them. We have Jesus who regain sight for the blind, who makes the lame walk, who make the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. We have Jesus who intends the poor to have the good news proclaimed to them}….

Deepening our Rejoice Sunday reflection, we may worthily consider the words from our second reading and submit ourselves to the invitation:  

Be patient for the Lord's coming, like a farmer waiting for crops.

Strengthen your hearts, avoid complaining, and follow the example

of patient prophets.