3rd Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday’s Gospel invites us to continue our reflection on the person and mission of John the Baptist. Today we depart from the Gospel of Mark and read a selection from the Gospel of John. The Gospel for today combines a brief passage from the prologue to John’s Gospel with a report about John the Baptist. As in Mark’s Gospel, the Gospel of John contains no birth narrative. Instead, John’s Gospel begins with a theological reflection that has come to be called the “prologue.” This prologue places the story of Jesus in its cosmological framework. It speaks of Jesus’ existence with God since the beginning of time. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the culmination of the Word, the light that is coming into the world’s darkness.

The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete, a Latin word which means “rejoice,” is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday’s Mass. This theme is echoed in today’s second reading from the first Letter to the Thessalonians. It is a reminder that Advent is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand.

The second collection today is for the Christmas flower decorations.

Don’t forget about River Parish Community Theater’s annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 17th at 5:00 P.M. in St. Peter’s Church. It is free and open to the public.

The Christmas Mass schedule is included. Please keep it in a handy place for reference for Mass times for Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Have a Blessed Advent Week!