“Bearing joyful witness;

patterned after the humility of John the Baptist.”

December 17, 2023

 Introduction:
Today’s Gospel tells us that John the Baptizer came as a witness to testify to
the Light, i.e., Jesus. “John himself was not the Light, but he came to testify to the
Light." The coming of Jesus, the Light, into the world is cause for rejoicing as he
removes darkness from the world. We should be glad and rejoice also because, like
John the Baptizer, we, too, are chosen to bear witness to Christ Jesus, the Light of the
world. We are to reflect Jesus’ Light in our lives so that we may radiate it and
illuminate the dark lives of others around us. The gospel text challenges us to be
witnesses for Jesus. We, the Church, are called to bear witness to Christ by word and
deed, in good times and bad—when it suits us and when it doesn't. We need to be
messengers who point out Christ to others, just as John did. John the Baptist’s role as
a joyful witness prepared the way for Jesus. John also provides an example for us
because our vocation as Christians is to bear “witness” to Christ by our transparent
Christian lives. John the Baptizer demonstrates what it means to bear witness to the
true Light coming into the world.

 Exposition of the Eucharist

Brief silence
Wait for the Lord Song
 Psalms and Canticle:

 Gospel reading: Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

 Reflection from the video clip (reflection of Fr. Rey. D. Rosal)

Intercessions:
1. That the Church may continue to proclaim the beauty of the gospel and
encourage people to rejoice in the Lord. Let us pray…

2. That the world leaders may prepare the way for the coming of the Lord by
fostering harmony, authentic dialogue, and sincere concern for their people.
Let us pray…

3. We pray for those who are struggling as a result of poverty; may they receive the
resources they need. Let us pray…
 4. May Pope Francis’ constant plea for peace across the Holy Land be heard by all
so that violence ends, aid flows to desperate people, hostages returned home and
those unjustly imprisoned be set free. Let us pray…

5. For those who are impaired by blindness, deafness, or other infirmities, that the
promise of Christ's coming may give them strength and joy. Let us pray…

6. May all the victims of war - trapped in violence, or struggling in refugee camps -
mindful particularly of the people of Ukraine, Sudan, Syria and Iraq, Myanmar
and Yemen, be delivered from present evil. Let us pray…

Concluding prayer:
Father, give us true joy and gladness as we welcome into our hearts the Great and Holy
One, Jesus your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tantum Ergo…
9

Rejoice is the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near.

Today is called “Gaudete” Sunday. The invitation to joy is characteristic of the season of
Advent: the expectation of Jesus’ birth that we experience is joyful. So, we are reminded to
rejoice no matter the challenges or difficulties we face, we must be joyful. To rejoice is to
recognise and embrace the truth about God’s work. As John the Baptist cried out, we must
prepare a way for the Lord. The source of our joy is not in what we have, rather it lies in
“Emmanuel,” the name which means “God is with us” (Matt. 1:23).