Reminder: the readings provided for reflection are not printed here in order to encourage you to become comfortable and familiar with your own Bible. Explore your Bible and get to know it, it will be helpful when we begin the next phase of study. Whenever you are reading the Sacred Scriptures ensure that you read slowly and allow the Word to touch your heart. If a particular word or phrase stands out to you pause your reading and rest there, do not rush past it. The Holy Spirit may be speaking to you. Pray like Samuel and say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1Sam3:10 Reflection for the week: In addition to this week’s readings please read and reflect on Ezekiel chapter 36. Take time to meditate on the blessings that God promises. Reading the Word of God brings blessings. We need to pray for restoration. Yesterday (December 12th) we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas. Our Lady of Guadalupe calls us to a transformation of our hearts. Through her we will receive blessings and encounter her civilization of the heart. The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent are; Old Testament Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 Related texts are: Heb12:12, Mt11:5, Lk7:22 James 5:7-10 Related texts are: The Gospel According to Matthew 11:2-11 Related texts are: Lk7:18-35, Mk1:7-8 Hab2:3, Jn11:27, Is35:5-6, Is61:1, Lk4:18-19, Mt14:5, Mt21:26, Lk1:76, Mal3:1, Mk1:2 The general themes for this week’s readings are patience and joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday, gaudete is a Latin word which means “rejoice!” The third candle lit on the Advent wreath is the “Shepherd’s” candle, and it is pink. This week’s readings encourage us to be patient and unafraid as we continue to prepare for the Lord’s arrival. God’s people had been waiting for centuries for the Messiah to come and save them. Through this week’s readings we are encouraged to be patient and steadfast as we wait. We reflect on the joy that the shepherds felt upon hearing the Good News that the Angel proclaimed, the Savior, Messiah, and Lord was finally here! Jesus Christ was born! This week we rejoice in anticipation of Jesus arrival on Christmas day. For those with Advent wreaths this is taken from dynamiccatholic.com; Pray the Advent Wreath Prayer for Week 3: “Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.” This week we light the pink candle along with the previous 2 purple candles. Reflect: On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate your joy this Advent? How might God be inviting you to open yourself up to the joy of the season?