About the 3rd Sunday of Advent Year C
Sunday December 15, 2024
The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent Year C (Gaudete Sunday) encourage us to rejoice at the new life being offered to us through Jesus Christ. In the first reading we hear that the Messiah is a mighty savior who will bring joy and love. In the second reading Paul tells us to rejoice for the Lord is near. And in the gospel, John the Baptist tells his followers that a great savior is coming.
Pray the O Antiphons Starting This Week
The O Antiphons are part of the evening prayer from December 17 to 23. They use Old Testament images to help us anticipate the Messiah. See more information and get some social media graphics.
3rd Sunday of Advent Year C
- Sunday December 15, 2024
- O Antiphons
- Quote
- Mass Readings
- Themes
Quote
“What should we do?” With this question, the Gospel of the day reminds us that life has a task for us. Life is a gift that the Lord grants us, saying to us: discover who you are, and work hard to make the dream that is your life come true!
Pope Francis
Daily Mass Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent Year C
- First Reading – Zephaniah 3:14-18A: “The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.”
- Responsorial Psalm – Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6: “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.”
- Second Reading – Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!”
- Gospel – Luke 3:10-18: “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Themes for the Gospel
This would be a good time to discuss the Incarnation. Why did God become man and what does that mean for us?
Also, are we heeding the call to repentance? Will we be prepared when the Lord comes?
Sponsored
Catholic traditions for Advent
Resources for the 3rd Sunday of Advent Year C
What Should We Do? – A Lesson Plan on Advice
This What Should We Do lesson plan on advice will help youth understand that we must go to a trustworthy source when we are seeking answers to our questions.
Give Me Discerning Eyes
Give Me Discerning Eyes is a prayer which asks for God’s grace in seeing His will for us and understanding our own hearts. And then it asks us to be able to help others see.
Know It All Game
In this game you test the knowledge of youth in various categories. Play several rounds and then total up the points to see which team has more members who Know It All.
Social Media Graphics
You are free to share with a reference to young-catholics.com . Click on the image to download full size.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
What a A Charlie Brown Christmas and pay special attention to the moment when Linus drops his blanket. Read more.
Let the Spirit of Advent Visit
Take some time from the Christmas preparations to remember that we are still in a time of preparation.
Sing Some Christmas Carols
While still in Advent, sing some well known carols which focus on the coming of the Christ Child and the mystery of the Incarnation.
Homilies and Reflections
Rejoice Always!
The destruction Zephaniah predicts is seen in the destruction of the body of Jesus on the cross. But God turns this destruction into victory.
What Do We Do?
We can be joyful and fearless because we know the Good News. God is coming to be among us!
Other Themes
Jesus brings change. “His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor…” “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Some of us feel very comfortable with the status quo. It is working for us. We feel secure and comfortable. Some of us welcome change. We live in poverty and do not know where our next meal is coming from. Some of us are somewhere in the middle, thinking change would be good, but not wanting to disturb what we already have.
We might hold on to our gifts, wanting to secure or improve our positions. But God dreams of something bigger. His imagination reveals a world where our social structures strive to ensure that everyone has what they need. This is a good time to consider if we are participating in systems which exploit people or seek to lift them up.
Reflection Questions
- Where am I on the spectrum from secure to insecure in meeting my daily needs?
- How can we change social structures so that everyone’s needs are met?
- How can I use what I have been given to bring about change?
- Am I ready to give an accounting to our Lord today?