3rd Sunday of Advent.
Mass and readings.

In this Mass the color violet or rose is used.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Gaudéte in Dómino semper: íterum dico, gaudéte. Dóminus enim prope est.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.
[–» Greeting]

COLLECT
O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation, and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord.

[–» Proper Readings]

Readings for Year C

READING I
Zep 3:14–18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Exúlta et lauda, quia magnus in médio tui Sanctus Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the Lord,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. 
Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. 
Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. 

READING II
Phil 4:4–7
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,  by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,  make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding  will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

ALLELUIA
Spíritus Dómini super me: evangelizáre paupéribus misit me.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor.

GOSPEL
Lk 3:10–18
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.  And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them,  “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion,  do not falsely accuse anyone,  and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation,  and all were asking in their hearts  whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying,  “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn,  but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways,  he preached good news to the people.

FOR THIS SUNDAY’S REFLECTION, CLICK HERE AND HERE

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
May the sacrifice of our worship, Lord, we pray, be offered to you unceasingly, to complete what was begun in sacred mystery and powerfully accomplish for us your saving work. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Eucharistic Prayer]
[–» Preface I or II of Advent]

Preface II of Advent

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

For all the oracles of the prophets foretold him, the Virgin Mother longed for him with love beyond all telling, John the Baptist sang of his coming and proclaimed his presence when he came. He it is who grants our anticipating with joy the mystery of his birth, so that he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise. And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, as we sing the hymn of your glory without end we acclaim:
[–» Holy, holy, holy…]

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Dícite: Pusillánimes, confortámini et nolíte timére: ecce Deus noster véniet et salvábit nos.
Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.
[–» Communion]

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We implore your mercy, Lord, that this divine sustenance may cleanse us of our faults and prepare us for the coming feasts. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Concluding Rite]

SEE AS WELL AV SUMMARY OF GAUDETE SUNDAY. FOR FULL TEXT, CLICK HERE.