Sermon for the Wednesday of Gaudete, 2025

Beloved, there is indeed ample cause for rejoicing: Almighty God has taken on flesh. And all generations do indeed call Mary blessed because she was the maidservant who bore the Saviour of mankind. Jesus’ name is holy, just as He is holy. On the generations long past, today’s generations, and the generations yet to come, is His mercy made manifest. For in mercy, He entered the fray and showed the strength of His arm by willingly letting it be nailed to the Cross. His atoning death—freely offered—boggles the mind, especially of those who think that they must either save themselves or at least cooperate in their salvation. He has overthrown death and the devil; He has exalted mankind, giving us the right to be called the children of God. He feeds those who hunger and thirst for righteousness with His righteousness and holiness, bidding them to partake not only of His words but also His very Body and Blood, which were given and shed for the remission of sins. He has more than helped His people; He has come to save them. He comes in fulfillment of the promise that He spoke to Abraham and his descendants. 

John, from the womb, knew all of this to be true. By leaping in his mother’s womb, he points you to the womb of the Blessed Virgin. “Behold,” he says, “Behold! The Lamb of God who comes to take away the sin of the world.” 

Beloved, put aside your doubts and your reason, which cannot make sense of how a fetus could so vividly react to the Word. Put aside your fears, put aside your troubles, put aside all that would darken your heart with gloom and misgiving. Be filled with the same joy that filled John, Elizabeth, and Mary. 

Readings:

• Old Testament: Genesis 6:5-8

• Epistle: Romans 1:16-25

• Holy Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

  
  

Sermon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVnz6nJjoTQ