11th December 2005
Third Sunday of Advent, Year B

S: Good morning
Today is Gaudete Sunday - and I can hear you saying - wha? The word Gaudete means “Joy”.

B: Actually, if you take a look at the advent wreath today you might notice that one of the four candles is pink and it’s today we light this candle.

S: As you know each of the candles represents a Sunday in Advent - a time when we are preparing for Christmas. And we light the “odd one out” today because it’s Gaudete Sunday - Joyful Sunday.

B: “Our word of Life for today comes from the Gospel of John, when St John the Baptist was asked who he was - he answered “I am a voice that cries in the wilderness - ‘Make a straight way for the Lord”.

S: Yeah, we sometimes feel that there’s nobody listening to us, yet the challenge is about listening to others whose voice may not be heard - those who are poor, those in prison, those whose hearts are broken.

B: And you know our minds at this time might be preoccupied with what I’m looking forward to for Christmas - but it mightn’t be any harm to listen out for what others are looking forward to. And so, on to our third Advent prayer.

S: Almighty God,
your promise of salvation fills us with joy and hope.
We long for its fulfilment in our own time.
Hear the cries of your people and let your justice be evident in our world, that we, and all people may have ever new reasons to rejoice in your love.

S: You’ve been listening to Just a thought with Seamus Madigan

B: and Brenda Cribbin. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at 66 O’ Connell Street or by e-mailing smadigan@limerickdiocese.org. If you would like your own copy of this reflection you can download it by clicking on limerickdiocese.org

S: We look forward to your company again next week, so take care…..

S& B: Byeeeeee……

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