Rejoice in the Lord!!!

The entrance antiphon for this Third Sunday of Advent says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near" (Phil.4:4,5). This third Sunday is traditionally known as "Gaudete Sunday," which means to rejoice. We are halfway through the Advent Season and we need to rejoice because the Lord is coming soon. As I have written before, Advent is a joyful time, but it is also a penitential time as we prepare for the Lord's birth. Of course, we can rejoice in God's gift of forgiveness and that is what we receive each time we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I hope you will take the time over the next couple weeks to participate in the sacrament when it is held in your parishes. It is a wonderful time to be reconciled with God and one another and prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord. Have a blessed weekend and let us always rejoice in the Lord! Peace!!!