Rejoice! (E-Pistle Message)

Rejoice! We have reached the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete, the Latin word meaning “rejoice,” marks the halfway point in Advent, drawing us into a deeper and more joyful anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. As we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas, we also consider Christ’s second coming at the end of time.

By journeying through Advent together, we are reminded of Our Lady who journeyed – first in haste to the hill country of Judea to share with her cousin Elizabeth the Good News of her being the Mother of God. Then Mary journeyed with Joseph and the infant Jesus to Egypt.  After three years, the Holy Family journeyed to Nazareth where, in the neighboring village of Cana, Mary told them to do whatever He says. Finally, she journeyed to Golgotha to be with her Son at the foot of the cross.

Today Our Lady journeys with the entire church. This new journey, called by our Holy Father, invites the faithful to engage in the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

The theme, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission,” will be one of walking together in prayer, reflection and discernment calling upon the Holy Spirit to guide our way. We will begin with a survey to gather voices in the process, followed by parish listening sessions. I ask you to answer the call to share in this time of reflection and journey with me in this synodal process.

This week we honored Mary as the Immaculate Conception and celebrate her appearance at Tepeyac as a mestiza who brought together the old and the new while carrying Christ who himself brought together the divine and the human. Let us invoke her name and strive to be like her in saying yes to God’s call. May you continue to be blessed in this holy season of Advent.