From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
rejoice in the lord
Dec. 14, 2025
This Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, which translates as Rejoice Sunday. We rejoice because Advent is coming to its close, and Christmas, the celebration is near. This sense of rejoicing was more intense when Advent was 40 days in length and included fasting from meat for the full time, and other penitential practices were common. Advent is far less painful now, so it does not have the impact that it once did.
But, spiritually, it is important for us to hear the message of Rejoice Sunday. We rejoice because God has won salvation for us through the birth, life, Passion and Resurrection of His Son, Jesus. We rejoice because we know that He will return again in power and glory and will bring forth the Kingdom in its fullness. We rejoice because God is with us throughout our lives and we know ourselves as sons and daughters of God.
The one sign we might possess that shows that we are Christian is joy. Even in times of struggle, we can rejoice. In his Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul lists many obstacles and problems and sufferings that may come our way. He then says, “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
But, spiritually, it is important for us to hear the message of Rejoice Sunday. We rejoice because God has won salvation for us through the birth, life, Passion and Resurrection of His Son, Jesus. We rejoice because we know that He will return again in power and glory and will bring forth the Kingdom in its fullness. We rejoice because God is with us throughout our lives and we know ourselves as sons and daughters of God.
The one sign we might possess that shows that we are Christian is joy. Even in times of struggle, we can rejoice. In his Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul lists many obstacles and problems and sufferings that may come our way. He then says, “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
I think the greatest tool for evangelizing others is our joy. If you are concerned about your kids, or other family, or friends, or whomever, who do not have a relationship with God or with the Church, it will be your joy that will most attract them to return to a life of faith. If the world sees a joy in Christians, many will say to themselves, “I want what they have.”
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say, rejoice!
—Fr. Mike Comer
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say, rejoice!
—Fr. Mike Comer
