Gaudete in domino semper!

Gaudete Sunday

The 3rd Sunday of Advent is dedicated to John the Baptist. His personality, his perseverance and convictions do not go unnoticed by the powerful of his time. John messed around with King Herod and they threw him in prison. Placed in the cold of a prison cell, John has time to dedicate himself to his thoughts and questions. Questions about the meaning of his life, his actions and his lifestyle. He has nothing else to do except ask himself over and over if he has done the right thing. This is something I am sure, we can all relate too.

Dear Friends

To find answers to these questions is not easy.One of the more challenging questions is: Was it worth it. Does the little that I have done or do make a difference? Whether I bet on the wrong horse or I am riding a dead horse, or chasing false dreams. Was or is it worth it? Will it make a difference? For me - I would like to know the answer and how it applies to my life. John sits in a prison enjoying a certain privilege and is visited by his disciples. They bring him up to date with all the latest information from outside. He hears about the wonderous deeds of Jesus, whom at the Jordan he believed was the Messiah. Is he or is he not? He cannot wait. John has to know the answer to his question - so he sent them out to Jesus. To the one whom John himself had pointed to. “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?” John wanted Jesus to be asked these questions because he knew that he himself was not the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. He knew that he was only “the voice of a man who calls out in the desert” (Is 40:3). John took his mission seriously.

Dear Fellow Christians

As a rule, we know very quickly who or what we are not – and what we are or are not good at. I know for sure – I am not the new elected parliament Member Albert Rösti. I know for sure – I am not Lady Gaga or George Clooney. I doubt that any of us thinks of ourselves as the Messiah. But each and every one of us tries in some way to make a difference in the lives of another. A little bit, anyway. Our little mission, our small contribution is to make God’s righteousness become a little more visible in this world. Enough so as to give meaning to our lives.

Dear Sisters & Brothers

We hope that there is another...we hope that God, in the sky above the stars, takes our deeds, our achievements and builds his kingdom out of the many thousands of puzzle pieces. John's question, however, remains:

“Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?”

Jesus' answer is typical and that is what I find so awesome about God. He doesn’t get involved in the humanly nature of mankind’s rules. God does not let himself be contained, He cannot be tethered and God cannot be defined. Now – this is what is really important: Jesus responds to John's friends with his words and actions.

"Go and tell John what you hear and see: The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."

Rejoice in the Lord Always!

Gaudete Sunday proclaims the anticipation of something great. The birth of the one who brings and gives salvation, life and love. This is the real reason for our joy. This is the reason for Gaudete Sunday.

"Rejoice in the Lord always". "Gaudete in domino semper!"

Praised be Jesus Christ, the Immanuel.

Amen