Happy Gaudette Sunday!  The readings this week are cause to rejoice!  In the first reading the prophet Isaiah highlights the favor he and Israel have received after a period of captivity and suffering.  Isaiah can’t help but exclaim “God is the joy of my soul” and proclaims the goodness of God.  In the Gospel, we see John the Baptist is sent from God to “testify to the light.” (John 1:8)  He points to the one who is coming, Jesus “the light of the world.” (John 8:12)  These readings resonate with me as I continue to prepare for Jesus’ Incarnation in this third week of Advent. 

The last couple of weeks we’ve been singing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  Emmanuel means “God with us.”  I eagerly await the Nativity of our Lord.  My heart is filled with joy knowing how much God loves me.  I matter to God.  He sent Jesus into the world to save me, to release me from captivity.  Knowing this I want to proclaim the goodness of God.  Like Isaiah God sends me to “bring glad tidings to the poor” (Isaiah 61:1) and like John the Baptist I want to “testify to the light.” (John 1:8)

The other day I was in the checkout line at the grocery store and the man in front of me asked if I was ready for the holidays.  I couldn’t help but joyfully respond it was a feast day, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I could tell by the look on his face he had no idea what I was talking about.  I explained to him our Blessed Mother appeared to a man in an apparition on this day in Mexico long ago.  Many people in the world today unfortunately do not know the love of God or the true meaning of Christmas, let alone that we have a Blessed Mother who advocates for us!  I know Jesus came into the world on a mission to save me so I can spend eternity with him in heaven.  That’s amazing news!  It’s the best gift ever!  As I continue to prepare for the best gift ever (our Lord’s coming) I pray to continue to share the Good News and “glad tidings to the poor” (Isaiah 61:1), captives and prisoners.