‘Gaudete Sunday’

Webmaster • December 11, 2021

Pope Benedict XVI spoke in his homily during ‘Gaudete Sunday’ back in 2011:


The liturgy of this season renew the invitation to live in expectation of Jesus and to continue to look forward to his coming so as to keep ourselves open and ready to encounter him and prepare joyfully for the mystery of Christmas. 


Christians are asked to live Advent without allowing themselves be distracted by the bright lights but knowing how to give things their proper value and how to fix their inner gaze on Christ. Indeed if we persevere in “watching in prayer, our hearts filled with wonder and praise” our eyes will be able to recognize in him the true light of the world that comes to dispel our gloom.


The liturgy of this Sunday, known as “Gaudete” Sunday, is a special invitation to us to joyfulness. True joy is linked to something deeper. Of course, in the all too often frenetic pace of daily life it is important to find time for rest and relaxation, but true joy is linked to our relationship with God. Those who have encountered Christ in their own lives feel a serenity and joy in their hearts that no one and no situation can take from them. St Augustine understood this very well; in his quest for truth, peace and joy, after seeking them in vain in many things he concluded with his famous words: “and our heart is restless until it rests in God” 



True joy is a gift, born from the encounter with the living Person of Jesus and, making room within ourselves, from welcoming the Holy Spirit who guides our lives. 

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