Rose

is the liturgical colour today (counting this evening as part of Sunday, a la the Jewish day). I had forgotten that this was the third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday. The opening prayer (Introit in the old style) or song (antiphon now) quotes Saint Paul's letter to the Philippians (4:4), "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!"

The Church calls us to joyful patience at the long delay until Christmas and, more importantly, the seeming delay in Jesus' Return. It will come soon!