Gaudete In Domino Semper - Rejoice in the Lord Always

12-14-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh lorchir, VC

The Entrance Antiphon from which this weekend derives its liturgical name (Gaudete Sunday) invites us repeatedly to rejoice because our salvation is near. Those who wait for the coming of the Savior are exhorted neither to despair nor resort to complacency, for the Savior will arrive soon. Waiting can be at a time when things seem to be getting worse, is sometimes not pleasant, and can cause the faltering of best intentions. This unfortunate scenario was experienced by John the Baptist who had the singular privilege of being the precursor to the coming Messiah.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church described John the Baptist as “....... the Lord’s immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare His way. Prophet of the Most High, John surpasses all the prophets of whom he is the last. He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother’s womb welcoming the coming of Christ and rejoices in being the friend of the bridegroom, whom he points out as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Going before Jesus in the Spirit of Elijah, John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his baptism of conversion, and through his martyrdom.” (CCC 523). Yet, when confronted with unjust incarceration and imminent death, John sent messengers to Jesus to ascertain with clarity if Jesus was the Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ is easy to profess when life is easy and neat, the real test comes when one experiences a consistent strain of difficult moments. Moments of grief, the loss of loved ones, career turbulence, marital and family uncertainties, financial crunch, and periods when one is a witness to the evils of famine, war and general societal decadence could become moments when one’s faith could be tried like John’s. Dark nights and trials of faith can happen to anyone, even saints have gone through them. Such experiences are not incompatible with holiness, instead, one who is aided by grace to triumph over them gains stronger faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ response to John through the emissaries he sent is quite instructive. He didn’t say to tell John “of course I am Christ.” Instead, He asked them to present to John evidence of the work of salvation which they themselves were witnesses to, works that were consistent with what the prophets before John had foretold would be done by the Messiah. Our preaching of the Gospel is best done through practical witnessing, Christ’s standard measurement of faith is the fruits which are most visible in charity and compassion.

While we rejoice as our salvation draws nearer, we must also hasten to be more than prophets, Children of God who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, not reeds swayed by the wind of life but fi rm in faith in the Lord Jesus knowing that all things work towards good for those who love God.

May God grant us faith that will neither wane nor falter, may our witness to the Gospel bear fruits that last and may we find and share with others true joy and peace at Christmas.

Please be kind and may God bless you.

Fr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC