A little girl high-fives Father John after confession, a first in his 25 years as a priest.
The episode begins with Father John Ehrich introducing the third Sunday of Advent, referred to as Gaudete Sunday, and explaining its pink color as a symbol of lightening up during penitential seasons. He transitions to a reading from Luke about John the Baptist, where crowds and tax collectors ask what they should do, with responses focused on sharing and honesty. Father John draws a parallel between ancient tax collectors, who were hated for collecting extra for foreign governments, and modern tax collectors, noting the universality of repentance. He addresses common fears about confession, such as worry over what the priest will think, and emphasizes that God is simply happy when people return, likening it to the prodigal son and lost sheep parables. A personal anecdote is shared about a child who high-fived him after confession during first confessions nights, a first in his 25 years of priesthood, which he sees as exemplifying freedom in Jesus. Father John critiques how faith is often presented with guilt or shame, contrasting it with Jesus's welcoming nature as described in the gospels, where he comes for those in need. He reassures listeners that God rejoices in their presence, regardless of past actions, and expresses gratitude for the community. The homily concludes with a call to stand, reinforcing the theme of joy and victory in the Lord.
