📖 Sunday Gospel Reading – December 14, 2025

Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
🕯️ “Rejoice!”

🌅 FIRST READING

Isaiah 35:1–6a, 10

The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
He comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
He comes to save you.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.

🎶 RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 146:6–7, 8–9, 9–10

Response: Lord, come and save us.

The Lord keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free.
R: Lord, come and save us.

The Lord gives sight to the blind;
the Lord raises up those who were bowed down.
The Lord loves the just;
the Lord protects strangers.
R: Lord, come and save us.

The fatherless and the widow He sustains,
but the way of the wicked He thwarts.
The Lord shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R: Lord, come and save us.

📜 SECOND READING

James 5:7–10

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.

You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.

Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

✝️ GOSPEL

Matthew 11:2–11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question:

“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”

Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.

And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John:

“What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?”

“Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing?”

“Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.”

“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist.”

✨ REFLECTION — “Rejoice, Even While Waiting”

This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word Rejoice.
But today’s Gospel is surprising—
because it shows John the Baptist doubting.

Yes… John, the one who prepared the way.
John, the fearless preacher.
John, the prophet.

Now he is in prison…
and he asks:

“Are you the one… or should we look for another?”

1️⃣ Even strong believers can struggle

John expected a Messiah who would act with power and judgment.
Instead, Jesus came with mercy, healing, and compassion.

When life doesn’t turn out the way we imagined,
questions arise.

This Gospel comforts us:
Doubt does not mean lack of faith.
It means you are human.

2️⃣ Jesus answers with signs of hope

Jesus does not argue.
He points to His works:

  • the blind see

  • the lame walk

  • the poor hear good news

In other words:
Look at the fruit.

God may not come the way we expect—
but He always comes with life, healing, and hope.

3️⃣ Joy is not the absence of suffering

Gaudete Sunday does not say:
“Everything is perfect.”

It says:
“The Lord is near.”

Joy is knowing that:

  • God is working

  • salvation is unfolding

  • hope is alive

  • waiting is not wasted

4️⃣ Advent message for you

If you are waiting…
If you are praying…
If you are tired…
If you are unsure…

Jesus says to you today:

“Blessed are you if you do not lose faith in Me.”

Your waiting has meaning.
Your hope is not in vain.

🙏 CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, strengthen us when we grow tired of waiting.
Give us joy even in uncertainty.
Help us trust Your ways, even when they differ from our expectations.
As we rejoice this Gaudete Sunday,
fill our hearts with hope, patience, and faith.
Amen.