Throughout the Infancy Narrative, we hear almost nothing about what Jesus did or said. Most of the time, we learn something about Him from the actions and words of other people and the events in the narrative. At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel revealed Jesus as the Son of God (Lk. 1:35). At His baptism, a voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved SON with whom I am well pleased" (Lk. 3:22). In v.49, Jesus refers to God as His Father. The finding at the Temple is the only glimpse we have of His childhood. About the mystery of His total consecration to the mission that flows from His divine Sonship. (CCC, 534)

In the Gospel, we hear the Blessed Mother travels in haste to Judah to visit her cousin Elizabeth. It was not haste due to pressure or obligation but one filled with awe and joy for all the marvelous things happening according to God’s Divine plan. A Holy Haste, which did not leave Mary stressed, exhausted, and frustrated. The haste of Mary reflects her obedience, humility, and trust in something or someone greater than herself. Mary’s haste comes from the joy in her heart after the events of the Annunciation: the prophecies of the Old Testament are happening; God’s divine plan is unfolding, and she plays a significant role in this plan.

Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of Joy. The pink candle symbolizes the joyful anticipation of His coming and the commemoration of His birth in Bethlehem on Christmas Day.

The readings and the psalms all focus on the joy we experience anticipating the birth of the Savior, calling us to be joyful always. For those in deep sorrow, the prophet Zephaniah exhorts them also to rejoice. St. Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Philippians is likewise an invitation to be joyful and glad for the Lord to come soon, and he will remove all fears from their hearts. The Gospel invites us to walk the path of righteousness and love; do this, and there will be great rejoicing.

As the Parochial Vicar at St. Theresa in Phoenix, I did the Marriage Preparation or PreCana Program. One day, a couple came and said they wanted to get married in the Church. When I asked them to sign up for the program, they hesitated and questioned the rationality of preparing for marriage when they already loved each other and had known each other for years. I explained that whether they are aware of it or not, they are being prepared for marriage by the secular world. The mass, print, and social media often highlight broken relationships, infidelities, divorces, and separations as an expected occurrence, taught and subjected to erroneous ideas and values about marriage.

What is the true spirit of the Advent season? Answer: Humility and gratitude before God. If only we can humbly accept our sinfulness and gratefully believe in His mercy and love, our ADVENT has come.

The ultimate goal of every Christian is to be one day with Jesus, the source and giver of eternal life. He is the incarnation of the love of God comes into flesh: I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. (Jn. 10:10)Advent season is that renewed preparation and desire to meet Jesus worthily when He comes. The Collect (Opening prayer) this Sunday captures this desire: Grant your faithful, we pray, Almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds and HIS coming, so that gather at His right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.