​​​​​Holy Infant Catholic Church

Father Michaels Weekly Thoughts 

​​WEEKLY THOUGHTS THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 14th 2025

Dear friends, welcome to the celebration of the Third Sunday of Advent traditionally known as Gaudete - Rejoicing Sunday. The Entrance Antiphon calls upon us to rejoice; “Rejoice always in the Lord; again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” (Phil 4: 4-5) We have a rose candle lit signifying our getting close to the joyful Christmas day.

Last Sunday we heard from the prophecy of Isiah of the new age and era when God would come to save his people from their enemies and sin. The Messiah God will send; will establish peace, justice and harmony or peaceful coexistence. The prophet continues to announce that at the messianic era, people will rejoice as God will ransom his people from pain, sorrow and mourning.

The Apostle James 5: 7-10 calls upon the people to be patient as they keep waiting for the second coming of the Lord.

In the Gospel of last Sunday, we reflected on the ministry of John the Baptist emerging from the desert calling the people to repentance- from sin to holiness. Many categories of people were touched and embraced baptism in the Jordan waters, as a symbol of repentance.

John’s message and call to repentance touched the Pharisees and Sadducees and Herod’s immoral which caused his arrest. John as last prophet had introduced Jesus to the people as the lamb of God and long-awaited Messiah. John also baptized Jesus. While John was in prison, sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus responded by pointing at miracles and cures; raising the dead, curing the deaf and blind and cleansing of the lepers- the messianic signs.

Jesus praised John of his unique vocation and bridge of the Old Testament to the New Testament. He spoke of John’s greatness to the crowds; “among those born of women, there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Mt. 11:11)

The kingdom John ushered in moves forcefully captivating even more of the powerful personalities. Despite John’s greatness, believers are greater than John- who stands back to hold the entrance door to the kingdom for the believers to enter.

The generation of John and Jesus’ time rejected Jesus. Both John and Jesus met a violent death. The people’s expectation was for a political liberator other than a universal messiah sent to liberate mankind from sin and all forms of spiritual oppression.

Let us find time to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this coming Wednesday from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at our respective Church as a practical sign of making room and space for Jesus in my life.

Have a great week.