Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent our Church Calendar. Light is growing, Darkness is receeding! The term Gaudete is from the Latin and means, "Rejoice". That word appears in the entrance antiphon of Masses held on this day: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is nearing, there is much to rejoice about. For those of you who are parents, remember how it was when time for the baby to be born approached? Remember how though you knew it would change your life forever you simply couldn't wait? Well a Baby is coming that can change more than just our lives, He changes the entire world.
On this Sunday we light the rose colored Advent candle. Advent is a penitential season of preparing for the coming of the Lord, this Sunday we emphasize the joyous aspects of the coming of our Lord.
It is also called Mothering Sunday, and in that tradition, may I offer the Magnificat of Our Lady using the Common Worship translation.
- My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
- he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
- From this day all generations will call me blessed;
- the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.
- He has mercy on those who fear him,
- from generation to generation.
- He has shown strength with his arm
- and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
- Casting down the mighty from their thrones
- and lifting up the lowly.
- He has filled the hungry with good things
- and sent the rich away empty.
- He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
- to remember his promise of mercy,
- The promise made to our ancestors,
- to Abraham and his children for ever.
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