The third Sunday of Advent is the only one with a name; Gaudete comes from the Latin and means to be joyful. As part of yesterday's liturgy, we read Mary's song, the Magnificat, in which she rejoices in the news of the angel.
My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
The homily, drawn from the Old Testament reading from Isaiah, encouraged our imagination as we lean into the good work that God is doing on our behalf. This morning I discovered this poem by Madeleine L'Engle. In it, she reminds us that there are seasons when being irrational are exactly right. For at times reason can stifle the imagination, and shut down the possibility of God's coming.
After annunciation
Madeleine L'Engle
This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There'd been no room for the child.
My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
The homily, drawn from the Old Testament reading from Isaiah, encouraged our imagination as we lean into the good work that God is doing on our behalf. This morning I discovered this poem by Madeleine L'Engle. In it, she reminds us that there are seasons when being irrational are exactly right. For at times reason can stifle the imagination, and shut down the possibility of God's coming.
After annunciation
Madeleine L'Engle
This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There'd been no room for the child.
