December 17, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ,

The 20th-century psychologist Carl Rogers believed that many moderns lived with what he called “Catastrophic expectations.” These were a conscious and unconscious dread of what terrible thing might happen at any time. Perhaps you’ve also heard of “Murphy’s Law that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

In response to these gloomy and pessimistic perspectives, the church celebrates “Gaudete Sunday” to begin the third week of Advent. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This Sunday is so named because “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for today's Mass taken from Philippians 4:4,5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” Some people mark this Sunday on their Advent wreath with a pink candle instead of a purple candle. It is one of two Sundays in the year when rose-colored vestments can be worn. This Sunday is a joyful reminder that our salvation is near. And that is a reason for joy and hope. Whose perspective will you allow to influence your life, Rogers and Murphy, or Isaiah, St. Paul, and ultimately the Lord Jesus?

Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again, rejoice!

p.s. One way to find joy is to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. We will have a communal celebration of that healing sacrament this coming Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7:00 pm. All are welcome!

Blessings of peace and joy,

Fr. William Heric, Pastor