December 17, 2006
Catechist Background and Preparation
Spend a few minutes reflecting on what these readings mean for you today. Was there a particular reading which appealed to you? Was there a word or image that engaged you?
Read the Word in Liturgy and Catholic Doctrine sections. These give you background on what you will be doing this session. Read over the session outline and make it your own. Check to see what materials you will need for the session.
The Word In Liturgy
Moved by John’s prophetic preaching about God’s coming judgment, people from all walks of life come forward asking, “What are we to do?” The baptizer responds in plain language, telling them to reform their lives in ordinary ways specific to their life situations. Moral conversion is a necessary preparation for the new era which begins with the coming of the Messiah. The moral virtues and how we acquire them therefore become the doctrinal focus for today.
In the first reading, the prophet Zephaniah speaks of the return of a sinful people to God as an event of mutual joy. The people rejoice when they are reconciled with God, and God rejoices over them.
The third Sunday of Advent is known traditionally as “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete is a Latin word meaning rejoice—an imperative taken from the readings of this day.
Catholic teaching upholds that moral conversion is possible for all and needed by all. This conversion is accomplished in many ways through daily living. Gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice, the admission of one’s faults, fraternal correction, and acceptance of suffering are outward signs of this moral conversion. In other words, moral conversion takes time and practice but is accessible to all.
Catholic theology has long pointed to and explored the cardinal virtues as key elements that assist in moral conversion. The cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance are central to the pursuit of the moral life.