17th December 2017 - 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudate Sunday)

On this weeks programme John is joined by Edmund Collins and Geraldine Creaton reflect on family and being able to share our stories in the modern world. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as notices and other liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks programme HERE.

Gaudate Sunday

The Third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday.  The word “gaudete” is derived from the Latin words “gaudium,” joy, and “gaudeo,” to rejoice or be glad.  Gaudete Sunday occurs eight to thirteen days before Christmas, and the nearness of this major feast is reason for great joy.

So its appropriate that the candle on the Advent wreath is rose, not purple, to indicate joy. Some parishes even have rose coloured vestments. We are rejoicing!! This reflection by Graham Hunt OP is helpful this weekend: 

To prepare meaningfully for Christmas can be exceedingly difficult. We must ask ourselves whether, amidst the tumult of our everyday lives – the rush to find the right presents, get the cards away on time, attend the obligatory functions – we are allowing ourselves to find the time to truly prepare and, more dauntingly perhaps, truly proclaim this wonderful news. That Christ dwells in us, each and every one, and that, in little over a week, we will celebrate the most astonishing and wonderful event that is Christ’s birth here in our midst, should truly fill us with such joy and peace. However, it can only do so if we allow ourselves the time to reflect, to pray and to prepare. Only then will we, like John the Baptist, be so moved by the Spirit that we will also wish to proclaim this blessed coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in a world that greatly needs to hear His message of salvation.

"Three Telling Tales"

Geraldine Creaton joins John on this weeks programme to reflect on Advent and the preparation for Christmas and as part of the reflection there is a discussion with Edmund Collins about his book "Three Telling Tales" which is used as a key to reflection about the need for space and time as families in this hyper-digital world.

This weeks interview with Edmund Collins about his book "Three Telling Tales" and the reflection with Geraldine Creaton is excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.









Gospel - John 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God.He came for testimony, to testify to the light,so that all might believe through him.He was not the light,but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John.When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priestsand Levites to himto ask him, "Who are you?"He admitted and did not deny it,but admitted, "I am not the Christ."So they asked him,"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"And he said, "I am not.""Are you the Prophet?"He answered, "No."So they said to him,"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?What do you have to say for yourself?"He said:"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,'make straight the way of the Lord,'"as Isaiah the prophet said."Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him,"Why then do you baptizeif you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"John answered them,"I baptize with water;but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,the one who is coming after me,whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,where John was baptizing.

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 3, 3rd week of Advent

Saints of the Week

December 18th - St Flannan
December 19th - Blessed Kazimiera Wolowska
December 20th - Blessed Michal Piaszczynski
December 21st - St Peter Canisius
December 22nd - Blessed Thomas Holland
December 23rd - St John of Kanty
December 24th - Adam and Eve
December 24th (evening) - The Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord