The weekend following Christmas is traditionally celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy Family of Nazareth. On this feast day of the Family, the Church invites us as we thank God for the blessing and example of the Holy Family in Nazareth. That we express gratitude to God for the family in general, and for our families in particular, to seek to imitate the example of the Holy Family, to pray especially for families that are experiencing difficulties and turbulence and to work to promote family life in our communities. The Readings at Mass this weekend are carefully chosen to project the virtues of family life, virtues we are invited to imitate and so give life to our faith in preparation for the joy we shall have as God’s great family for eternity in the life to come.

One of the most precious gifts gratuitously given to human beings by God is the gift of freewill. So precious is this gift that God Himself respects it. He does not compel us to worship or have a relationship with Him against our will. To each of us, God extends an invitation to a life with Him in the Spirit which is properly entered into through baptism and is then expected to be lived responsibly and faithfully thereafter.

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.

As we know, the First Sunday of Advent each year always invites us to a reflection on the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. On this Second Sunday of Advent, the Readings customarily introduces to us John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ who always comes with a call to repentance because the Kingdom of God is near. Although very pivotal to the Messiah’s mission, John the Baptist remains one of the most underappreciated figures in salvation history.