R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.

We are at the midpoint of Advent. Today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, which translated  means the Sunday to rejoice.

The words we heard from today’s First Reading from Zephaniah resound this theme. “Shout!…Sing!…Be glad and exult!…for the LORD is in your midst” as king and savior. And the psalmist echoes this sentiment as we sang, “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.”

Who is this great and Holy One? It is the LORD God. We know we are speaking of GOD as we see the word LORD is spelled in all capital letters.

As an extension of last Sunday’s Gospel reading, John continues to prepare the way of the Lord “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Lk 3:3). The crowds who were coming to be baptized asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” (Lk 10:10). They are seeking repentance.

Even tax collectors who came to be baptized said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” (Lk 10:12).

Soldiers seeking baptism also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” (Lk 10:14).

Each group acknowledges their sinfulness and are asking for concrete ways to change their lives. John’s advice to the first group centers on charity: share what you have and who you are for the needs of others.

He answers the tax collectors by directing them to honesty and to stop exploiting the people for personal gain.

And, to the third group, the guards and soldiers who most likely have the task to guard the dishonest tax collectors, John demands truth.

In the classic story, A Christmas Carol, the main character Ebeneezer Scrooge is a hard-hearted old miser who hates Christmas, exploits his clerk Bob Cratchit, and mocks those who seek to help the poor. His actions reflect all three groups in today’s Sacred Gospel reading.

On Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley who warns him that his selfishness will lead him to suffer in the afterlife. Marley adds that three spirits will visit Scrooge this very night for the good of his soul.

Scrooge is first haunted by the Ghost of Christmas past, who shows him scenes of Christmases in  his earlier life; and how his innocence and joy had become tainted by greed and dishonesty twisting him into the heartless person he had become.

Next, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the way others, even those with limited financial means, are celebrating Christmas with true Christmas spirit.

Lastly, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, silently and mysteriously shows Scrooge scenes following a death in the future. He sees that the dead man died alone, with no one to mourn or miss him. When Scrooge realizes he is the dead man, he begs the Ghost to tell him that the future can be changed if he lives differently.

Scrooge becomes keenly aware of how dishonest and selfish he has become. He had not always been that way but the lure and love of money twisted his life to the point that he had alienated his family and friends. His soul was in grave danger.

As a result of mulling his past, present, and future, Scrooge comes to his senses and begs for a chance to amend his way of life. He rejoices at the opportunity to change his ways, to take up charity, and to practice honesty in his business dealings.

At the end of the story he is relieved to discover there is still time for him to change. We see him transformed into a generous and kind-hearted human being always keeping the spirit of Christmas in his heart for the rest of his life.

And that begs the question of us. “What are we to do?” How are we to live our belief that the LORD is in our midst?

John the Baptist address this as he instructs us to care for the needs of others. He does not tell us to withdraw from the world but to live in the world with integrity. He doesn’t dwell on the past but points to the future.

As we look at the three candles of today’s Advent Wreath, perhaps they can represent the Past, Present, and Future. The Future is full of possibilities. That’s the rose colored candle; the candle that prompts us to rejoice as we wait for the Coming of Christ.

Whatever has been in our past – hurt, divorce, fraud, addictions, betrayals, pride, arrogance, or a thousand other less than virtuous acts, John exhorts us to prepare the way of the Lord. You can’t change the past; but you can change the future.

May this be our prayer. All-powerful Father, we await the healing power of Christ your Son. Let us not be discouraged by our weaknesses as we prepare for His coming. Keep us steadfast in your love as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Deacon Mark Izzo, Permanent Deacon, Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Saint Anthony Parish

Today is the third Sunday of Advent, known as “Gaudete Sunday”.  The term Gaudete simply means “to rejoice”.  This Advent we are preparing to live a new experience of love and faith in God.

As we come closer to Christmas, the church inspires us to rejoice because God is about to fulfill his promise to us.  This does not mean that we have come to the end of our preparations.  Instead it is a way of warning us to be more focused and courageous.  It is a way of assuring that our preparations will be rewarded.  The readings today inspire us to be happy and joyful, as we wait for the coming of our Lord.

In the midst of all the challenges of life, we are always encouraged to take heart, REJOICE greatly, be encouraged and renewed, for our Savior is in our midst.  Jesus came in time two millennia ago, and will come at the end of time, but most definitely He comes every day and moment, into our lives, if we will allow Him in.

In the Gospel today, the people ask John the Baptist, “What should we do?”  In reply, John the Baptist gives very practical advice: give to those in need, do not cheat others, do not bully anyone, be honest and be content with your life.

What John the Baptist proposes to any who will listen is a very ordinary and down-to-earth expression of repentance, namely, “to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God.”

Let us share what we have as we wait for the One who is coming.  While we wait, let us make this time the most joyful experience of our Faith by removing ourselves from what holds us back from being fully joyful.

The Church invites us to pray and reflect on what gives us joy.  What is holding me back in this season?  How can I happily empty myself to receive the Lord?  How would I feel if I found that my reluctance to share what I have would impact the coming of our Lord in the life of someone in need?

May this season of waiting and giving be our greatest joy.  As we wait joyfully for the fulfillment of God’s promises to us this Season, may He fill our hearts with charity and peace of mind.

Deacon Anthony Falasca, Permanent Deacon, Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Saint Anthony Parish

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

R. (6)  Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again:  rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.