First Reading Is 61:1-2, 10-11 Isaiah proclaims the goodness of the Lord.

Second Reading 1 Thes 5:16-24 Rejoice and pray always.

Gospel  Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 The priests and Levites question John's identity.

REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSA

Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy. The joy of this Sunday comes both from the message of the readings and from the anticipation that Christmas is nearing. As described in the Isaian passage, the Messiah is the one imbued with the spirit and with the power of the prophet, the one who will fulfill the promises of God. It becomes obvious in the Gospel that the Messiah is the one proclaimed by the Baptist. John cleared a path for the coming of the anointed one, and from that time on the lives of believers have been the pathway through which the Messiah has entered the world.