Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent. The fourth Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday.
Laetare is the Latin word of rejoice. The fourth Sunday of Lent has a beautiful introductory word. “Rejoice Jerusalem and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.” (Cf Isaiah 66:10-11)
The liturgy allows rose vestments to be worn; flowers on the altar and other jubilant instruments are used. “The day is referred to also as Mediana – mid-Lent, Mi-Carême, mothering, rose, or Refreshment Sunday.
Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday through the Holy Week where the spirit is nourished with the word of God through prayer and listening.Where the spirit is encouraged to abstain from full meals and meat, bad lifestyle, bad words, bad life, and from sin. It is a season for the heart to be more generous by reaching out to the poor. Lenten season is the best time to actively participate in the salvific suffering and death of Jesus.
Leadership is the capacity to lead and not to impose. Leadership is not meant for everyone. Leadership is for the called, chosen, and anointed. There is a big difference in the leadership of the government and the church. It is a sad reality that leadership in the government can be bought. Our past election is proof of that. Church leadership cannot be bought. Leadership in the church is truly a vocation. No money involved. It means God called, chose, and anointed. If money is involved, that is not the leadership springing from God.
But the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.” (Samuel 16:10-11)
The Lord said, “There-anoint him, for he is the one!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David. (Samuel 16:12-13)
Leadership starts from the Lord not from the people. Leadership is not for oneself or for the family. Leadership is for the people. It is service to the Lord. The best service is service outside paid hours.
Many government officials nowadays look at government service to earn a living; to enrich themselves and their families and worse, even step on the rights and dignity of their fellowmen.
Church leaders are not exempt in this situation. This sad reality is happening because leaders tend to be disoriented about the literal and figurative spelling of leadership. Leadership is public and voluntary.
Light is not the opposite of darkness. Light is the dispelling of darkness by brightness. Light therefore is the absence of darkness.
Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness, and righteousness, and truth. (Ephesians 5:8) Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:14)
We encourage everyone to shed light everywhere. We must have Jesus in our hearts. Jesus is our generator for that light that cannot be put off by evil.
Laws direct our life and our relationship. Laws are not meant to alienate us or put us down and limit our freedom. Laws are meant to realize our worth and give life.
There are two indispensable elements of the law – the letter and the spirit. Putting emphasis on the letter of the law will deprive us of the more beautiful facets of the law, the spirit of the law.
Condolences to Bagsingit, Domanog, Andaya, Sacley, Depalog, Ap-apid, Pecsoy, and Basilio families.
Eternal rest grant unto Catrina Bagsingit, James Domanog Jr., Mark Andaya, Andres Sacley, Romeo Depalog, Roy Ap-apid, Pastor John Pecsoy, and Fr. Paul Basilio.
Reach me at [email protected].
