REJOICE!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4-5
The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. The word is derived from the Latin words gaudium (joy, ) and gaudeo (to rejoice or be glad.)
This week, we focus on the joyful anticipation of the nativity. The season is full of joyful anticipation! Luke includes four songs/prayers of joy in his story of the coming of Christ. I will spend some time this week meditating on each of these prayers and the Scriptures that recorded them.
MARY’S PRAYER
“My Spirit Rejoices…”
At the end of May, Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Visitation, when Mary, newly pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. John “leapt in Elizabeth’s womb” when Mary entered the house, prompting Elizabeth to tell her cousin, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary was moved to pray what the church considers to be one of the most ancient Christian hymns, the Magnificat, or the Song/Canticle of Mary, a prayer of intense joy:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.He has come to the help of his servant Israel
Luke 1: 46-55
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
ZECHARIAH’S PRAYER
“Blessed be the Lord…”
John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, a priest, had doubted the Angel Gabriel’s message that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son in her old age and that he will be named John. As a result, Zechariah was struck speechless throughout Elizabeth’s pregnancy. When John was born, Zechariah’s faith was restored, and his speech returned the moment he confirmed that the boy was named John. The first words he spoke were used to sing out a beautiful joyful prayer of thanksgiving and prophecy that is known as the Benedictus (after the Latin for the word Blessed.) The Canticle (or Song) of Zechariah is used for morning prayer in the Liturgy of Hours.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
Luke 1: 68-79
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
THE ANGELS’ PRAYER
“Glory to God…”
The angels visited the shepherds, who were out tending their flocks in the field, and gave them the message:
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ”
After telling them where they could find this newborn Messiah, a large number of angels suddenly appeared and sang out:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests!”
Luke 2: 14
SIMEON’S PRAYER
“…my eyes have seen…”
When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon, who had lived a long, faithful life praying for God to send help to his people, recognized the infant, Jesus. He knew that God had fulfilled his promises. He took Jesus in his arms and prayed to God. His prayer is used in the Liturgy of Hours for vespers. It is also said on Epiphany, but Simeon’s faithful waiting and joy at seeing his hopes fulfilled fits well into this third week of Advent. He prayed:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
Luke 2: 28-32
ADVENT PRAYERS WEEK 3- JOY
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces
to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward
to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy
of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!’
Amen.
Prayer for the Lighting of the Candle
Dear Lord, as we light this third candle, help us to remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth has the power to bring us great joy this Christmas season. We can share in the joy that Mary felt knowing her role in your plan to fulfill your promises; the joy that Zechariah felt in seeing your plan unfold; the singing of the angels that filled the shepherds with joy, and the joyful surrender of Simeon knowing that he lived to see Your promise fulfilled. Let us remember, as they all did, that true joy comes only from You, not anything that we alone can accomplish or obtain in this life. Flood our heart with Your joy as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth.
Amen
