Gaudete Sunday or We light the pink candle

Our wait is approaching its end. This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent and is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means "joyful" and the Church reminds us today that our Advent season is approaching the end and that which we were waiting for is just around the corner. 

For the secular world the road to Christmas is paved with greenback dollars!  I remember back in August one of our local food stores put up their Hallmark Christmas ornament display and most other stores start the avalanche of advertising for Christmas in early November before Thanksgiving Day.  The Christmas Carols are piped in as you shop in the mall before the first frost. 

Advent at one time was a time, just like lent, of fasting and repentance.  When I was a child I watched that wreath in church grow brighter and brighter, knowing full well that Christmas presents were getting ever closer. 

On this Sunday we light the pink candle. The intention of this candle is to make our hearts warmer, to brighten our souls, to feel the joy of expectation that soon Christ will be with us.  Of course this marks our progress towards the feast but it also reminds us that the day of the Lord, the day he returns, is getting closer too. 

On this Sunday, my heart is filled with joy, I know I am loved so much that Jesus came to earth and died for me and for my sins,  I am joyful this day because deep in my heart I know that I am what God wants me to be or at least progressing towards that goal.  I am joyful because I know my ultimate fate and destiny is to be with God and the saints in heaven,  How can I keep from singing!

My Protestant friend, I invite you to take the Convert-a-Catholic Challenge. With 33,000 Christian denominations out there someone must know where the Catholic Church has gone wrong, why won't anyone tell me why I should leave the Church and join up with your denomination?  Don't you want to save me?  Click on the link below and tell me why I should quit being Catholic and join your church, which I will do if you can convince me.  

Hey Michael! Let's get you out of the Catholic Church and into my Church.  (Click Here to Email Michael)