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Meditate on God’s Word
1st Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a
2nd Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3.10-18 – The Proclamation of John the Baptist
An Attitude of Gratitude
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” These are the beautiful words we hear from St. Paul on this Gaudete Sunday. This Third Sunday of Advent is a time for joy in the midst
of the waiting and preparation for Christmas. It is a reminder for us that despite the crosses and difficulties of our lives, the joy of Jesus’ birth should always shine brightly.
One way in which we can cultivate a spirit of joy is through an intentional “attitude of gratitude.” Former U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt, once said that “comparison is the thief of joy.” When we compare our lives, possessions, gifts and attributes with those of others, we inherently become
ungrateful for the blessings God has placed in our lives. If we begin to thank God for all of the good things in our lives, we will quickly realize that there are far more things to be joyful about
than upset over.
This Advent, as society is trying to make Christmas more and more materialistic, let us take some time to be grateful for all the things we already have. Perhaps one tangible way we can express our gratitude is to offer our time and talents to others this Christmas. For example, we could visit a nursing home or a soup kitchen or perhaps help with a toy drive for those who are less fortunate than us. As stewards, let us constantly strive to be grateful for our blessings and then seek to share them generously with others.
Summary
On this Gaudete Sunday we are reminded that despite the crosses and difficulties of our lives, the joy of Jesus’ birth should always shine brightly. If we begin to thank God for all of His blessings, we will quickly realize that there are far more things to be joyful about than upset over. Perhaps one way we can share this joy is by offering our time and talents to help others this season, whether it be at a nursing home, a soup kitchen or helping with a toy drive.
