ADVENT: A TIME OF PREPARATION Advent is the start of the liturgical year in the Roman Catholic Church. This year, in the Liturgical cycle, is Year B, in which we read the Gospel of Mark and chapter 6 of the Gospel of John. Advent is a period of preparation, extending over four Sundays, before Christmas. The Latin word adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. The season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. First of all, it is our celebration of Christs birth at Christmas; but second, it directs the mind and heart to His Second Coming at the end of time. It is also a season to be aware of the coming of Christ in our daily lives through grace. In the Roman Catholic Church, the official liturgical color for most of the Season of Advent is violet. The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday (from Latin, meaning Rejoice!), because the Entrance Antiphon of this Sundays Mass is taken from Pauls letter to the Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near. (Phil 4:4-5b). On this Sunday, the priest may wear rose vestments, as a symbol of joy.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 13:57:32 +0000
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