Today's Gospel in Art - Gaudete Sunday

© Photo Courtesy of Vatican News

Gospel of 13th December 2020 - John 1:6-8,19-28

A man came, sent by God.

His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light.

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?' he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, 'I am not the Christ.' 'Well then,' they asked 'are you Elijah?' 'I am not' he said. 'Are you the Prophet?' He answered, 'No.' So they said to him, 'Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?' So John said, 'I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.'

Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, 'Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?' John replied, 'I baptise with water; but there stands among you - unknown to you - the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.' This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

Reflection on the Pink Vestments

With shop windows around us and commercial online retailers saturating us with the Christmassy green and red colours, it is easy to lose sight of the true colours of the Advent season: purple and pink. Today, for those of you who can attend Mass or who watch the livestreamed Masses online, you will notice the priest wearing pink vestments, and also the pink candle being lit on the wreath. It is Gaudete Sunday. Time to rejoice. Pink is the colour of joy. In French the colour actually sounds better, as it is called 'rose', like the flower's name and therefore conveys the sense of beauty, creation, nature, growing, that this third Sunday of Advent brings.

This rose colour is only used twice in the whole liturgical year: Gaudete Sunday in Advent and Laetare Sunday in Lent. The purpose is to bring a sense of joy amidst a season of penance. It is to remind us that during the dark, wintery nights of Advent, the light of Christ is coming soon; and in Lent as well, to remind us that the season of preparation is coming to a close and the great feast of the Resurrection is swiftly approaching.

Pope Francis, throughout his whole pontificate, has put much emphasis on joy. He even dedicated an entire encyclical to the Joy of the Gospels (Evangelii Gaudium, download copy here). Therefore I want to simply share a picture of Pope Francis, wearing his pink vestments on Gaudete Sunday two years ago. May our practice of our Christian faith be a beacon of joy in a darkened world… the light of baby Jesus is coming very very soon…

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/635

Christian Art - www.christian.art/index.php