"Rejoice in the Lord always; I say again, rejoice. Let your good sense be known to everyone. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4-5

Gaudete Sunday is all about the joyful anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ. The rose pink of the third candle symbolises this – the colour of the candle is lighter, like the mood. There is much to be joyful about; Jesus is on His way and with Him comes our Salvation and a new way of looking at the world.

The readings for this Sunday are appropriately full of joy. They are rich with promise, including a beautiful blessing in the first letter to the Thessalonians:

"May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept safe and blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called you and he will not fail you." 1 Thess 5:23-24

'Perfect and holy' is a tall order, yet we can certainly do better. During Advent, we can ask God to remove aspects of our personalities, or troublesome patterns of thinking, that act as barriers in our relationships with the people around us. These same barriers are standing between ourselves and God.  

To do this, we are forced to examine ourselves. In moments of personal discernment, God will help, if we pray for guidance and ask the Spirit to light our path. In the silence that follows prayer, we should make room for His voice in our hearts. As St. Peter says, 'He will not fail you'.  

Your prayer may look something like this: “Lord, as I prepare for your nativity, and for your arrival into my life and the world, please show me how I can better serve you and the people around me. Reveal to me those flaws that get in the way of my relationships and my service to you. Amen.”  

You will need to spend some quiet time with the Lord to listen for an answer. Then, and here’s where miracles can happen, ask God to take these flaws away – hand them over to Him and let the Spirit take them.  

This may have to become a daily habit, as old patterns are hard to change. The freedom we have been gifted by God means that we return to old ways very easily.  

Discernment like this can be confronting, and we do not always like what is revealed. For example, are we impatient with our spouses, or towards other drivers? Are we jealous of others, and do we allow resentment to make us a little mean? Are we harming ourselves in some way, and in doing so hurting the people who love us?  

You could also pray an Examen of St Ignatius, a well-established form of prayer where we are asked to examine the day’s events, our role in these, and our feelings. Here are links that will help if you are unfamiliar with the Examen:  

 The Ignatian Examen - Jesuits.org 

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/ 

This week is also a perfect time to go to Confession. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can provide the healing you need to move forward. Your parish priest will guide you and make helpful suggestions. Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive on His behalf, and the benefits of Reconciliation are deeply powerful. (By the way, if you are nervous of confessing to a priest you know, then visit a neighbouring parish.)

“He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the hearts that are broken; to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom for those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord” Isaiah 61:1-2 

Rejoice! He is coming to bring light to any darkness you may be feeling, to mend your brokenness, and to free you of any prisons you have built for yourself. This is God’s work. All you have to do is ask.