What is John the Baptist asking of the people in our Gospel account today? He asks them to stop doing selfish things to other people and to start living just lives. This is how they prepare their hearts for the Jesus’ saving love. As the anticipation builds for Christmas and as we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s promise to humanity fulfilled, we should ask ourselves, “How do I rejoicingly live for others?”

The answer is quite simple: give. We, like the people in our Gospel account that traveled into the desert to see and hear John the Baptist, are in the midst of anticipation and waiting for the Lord’s arrival. This season of anticipation is half over. How can we give in a way that makes room in our hearts to celebrate?

Give of your time and treasure.

• Time as a family at a homeless shelter
• Helping feed others, inviting a neighbor that lives alone over for a meal
• Providing food and gifts through the different churches’ giving trees.
• Making a gift in someone’s name to charity.
• Play Christmas music for someone, bake cookies for them!

Our rejoicing on this Gaudete Sunday should be seen in the generosity of our lives. Let us rejoice in living for others and dying to self!

May the Love, Peace and Grace of God be yours,

Fr. Adam