My dear fellow Cursillistas in the Lord,
Gaudete Sunday (meaning “rejoice” or “praise”) is the Third Sunday of Advent in the liturgical calendar of Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church. We light the third candle and rejoice like the shepherds, so we call the third candle the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and its color is pink, the liturgical color for joy.
In the readings of this particular Sunday, first, Isaiah’s prophecy – desert blooming, healing for the afflicted – reminds us that God brings life where there is barrenness, hope where there is despair. Secondly, the Psalm echoes God’s heart for justice for the poor, the oppressed, and the stranger. It invites us to see faith not merely as private, but as reaching out: uplifting the marginalized, offering help, living solidarity. Thirdly, Saint James’ admonition to be patient and firm speaks to the often long, uncomfortable “in-between” times – waiting, longing, suffering. Advent isn’t just a countdown, but a time of faithful waiting, trusting God’s timing. And fourthly, Saint Matthew points out the tangible effects of Jesus’ ministry – healing, mercy, and inclusion. – It challenges us to be alert to God’s presence in our daily lives.
The example of John the Baptist shows faith in action: pointing others to Christ rather than self-glory. We, Cursillistas, are invited to bear witness, to guide our friends to the “light,” to live out the Gospel in our environments.
The Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice Sunday) invites a spirit of Joyful Hope. We are living in a world with many uncertainties: social, economic, and personal; again, today’s readings remind us that (1) God isn’t distant, even in “desert” (hardship, loneliness, sorrow), He comes to bring life, healing, and hope. (2) that faith demands compassion: to meet our neighbors, to act for justice, to support the vulnerable. (3) that patience and trust are not passive; they are active readiness rooted in hope. (4) that our Christian life isn’t solitary; we are part of a people longing for redemption, called to be instruments of God’s mercy. (5) and that joy is possible; not naïve optimism, but a profound joy grounded in the Lord’s promises and presence.
¡De colores!
Fr. Paul Tung Nguyen
Spiritual advisor AGP
