MASS TIMES & INTENTIONS

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Gaudete’:

Today’s Gospel revisits the ministry of John the Baptist, clarifying the nature of his role.

He is not himself the ‘light’ God has promised but comes to bear witness to the one who will describe himself as the ‘Light of the World’.

This is one of the themes that runs right through St John’s Gospel, beginning from the ‘Prologue’ that is read at the Christmas Day Mass.

He is the light that darkness cannot overcome.

He is also the one who will baptise not simply with water as an outward sign of repentance but with the Holy Spirit to transform us from within.

It is the gift of the Spirit that enables us to see the light and recognise who Christ really is.

In this way God’s gift of faith makes it possible for us to respond with faith in our hearts.

This freeing and empowering gift fills us with joy in anticipation of Christmas –reflected liturgically in the softening of Advent purple into rose pink for the vestments used at Mass.