It's Gaudete Sunday this week, a Sunday reserved for rejoicing that Jesus is almost here. It seems a hard time to rejoice, however, after the events in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday. It may be hard to wear rose and celebrate, when it seems more appropriate to wear black and mourn. Of course we should mourn so many lives cut short--lives with so much potential. Children, and teachers--shepherds of children.
But I think we should do both. Our readings, Gospel and homily today remind us that we have a good reason to rejoice, too. Jesus is coming--on Christmas, and in every moment a person helps out someone else, every time some sees another's need and acts to fulfill it. On Friday, a teacher gave shelter to those in need. We know what we have to do to make the world a better place. We need to take care of each other.
I wanted to share God Shall Gather In with you today, but YouTube didn't like the idea--the only videos i can pull up are a guy singing the individual parts to teach the refrain. Which is cool, but unhelpful for my purposes. We sang Advent Cry again this Sunday, in memory of the lives lost at the shooting on Friday. But the video I do have for you was our closing hymn, and also really appropriate--On That Holy Mountain. "There shall be peace, led by all the children."
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