The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing amid our Advent waiting. The rose candle is lit on the Advent wreath, reminding us that joy is already shining through the shadows of expectation. Yet, today’s Gospel from Matthew 11:2–11 presents us with a surprising kind of joy—one born not from comfort or success, but from faith in the midst of doubt.
The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent (Matthew 3:1–12) introduces us to John the Baptist, the fiery prophet who cries out in the wilderness: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” His message is both urgent and timeless. Advent is a season of joyful waiting, but John reminds us that waiting for the Lord also means preparing our hearts for His coming. The path to Christmas is not only lined with lights and decorations; it is also marked by repentance, conversion, and renewal.
On November 22, 2025, Dehon House in Quezon City marked its annual Benefactors’ Day, a cherished occasion dedicated to thanking the many individuals who support the mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ). The gathering was filled with prayer, gratitude, and a renewed sense of shared purpose.The celebration began with a concelebrated Mass at 5:00 PM, presided by Fr. Patrick Gutib, SCJ. He replaced Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, who for personal reasons could not be present this year. His absence was warmly acknowledged, and the community remembered him in prayer.
On this final Sunday of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to contemplate a most paradoxical image of kingship. The Gospel from Luke 23:35–43 presents not a majestic ruler seated upon a golden throne, but Jesus hanging on the Cross, crowned with thorns, mocked by soldiers, and ridiculed by those who fail to see His true glory. Yet it is precisely there—on the Cross—that His kingship is revealed in its deepest meaning: a kingship of love, forgiveness, and mercy.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that might unsettle us: “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.” He foretells the destruction of the Temple and the many trials His followers will face — wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecutions. These are not merely predictions of events long past; they are reminders that the Christian journey has always been marked by testing, uncertainty, and perseverance.
SCJ Philippines Region 