Gaudette - Rejoice in the Lord

Each celebration of the sacred liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the "Entrance Antiphon". Like the doors of a great hall flung open and a trumpeter stepping forward and sounding forth, announcing the procession about to begin, the entrance antiphon sets the tone and leads us forth into the great mystery of the liturgy. The Entrance Antiphon for the Third Sunday of Advent begins with:

Have you ever had the experience of someone coming up to you and asking why you have that great smile on your face? If you have, you know that it was because something wonderful was happening in your life. Your smile is your entrance antiphon, your announcer; "...ask me and I will tell you."

In the First Letter of Peter we read, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15"  

I think that this text should be posted above the door frame of every Christian's front door, to be read every time they are leaving their house. It should be the first principle of the New Evangelization. The gospel is Good News, and the role of an evangelist is to spread good news. This is the message Pope Francis is trying to get us to grasp in the Church today.

The Easter morning accounts in the gospels begin with Jesus' followers in utter desolation, their hearts broken and their hope crushed. Then they encounter Jesus, alive and in glory, before them. Consider this account in John's gospel:

At this, (Mary Magdalene) turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her,  “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said,  “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

At first, no one recognizes Jesus standing before them, because this recognition is a GRACE, only he can give. But at his word, now their eyes are opened and they see, and their desolation changes to consolation, as their hope returns. Saint Ignatius calls this grace, "grace without previous cause"; nothing you do can make it happen, it is pure gift.

Even though we cannot make such a wondrous grace happen, we can go in search of it; "... seek, knock, ask and it will be given you." As we contemplate on the texts and prayers we find in Advent, let this prayer begin our devotions and conclude them.

Come O Spirit of Light. Illumine the darkness of my mine and heart with the radiance of your presence; that recognizing you by this wondrous grace, my faith will be imbued with this new certainty, and become visible in my life for all to see. Amen.

GRACE WITHOUT PREVIOUS CAUSE: St. Ignatius

Behold, 

I am sending 

my messenger 

ahead of you; 

he will prepare 

your way before you.

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