REJOICING, JOYS, AND GLADNESS

The ‘Collect’ this weekend, among other things prays that we ‘…attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing…’ The prophet Isaiah in the first reading says, ‘…the desert shall rejoice and blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy…and the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Sion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall fee away’ (cf Is 35:1-6a, 10). When these words do not seem to apply to your own peculiar situation, St James recommends patience. ‘You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand…as an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord’ (cf Js 5:7-10). 

Beloved people of God, rejoicing, joys, celebrations and gladness are the common characteristics of the season of Christmas which we anticipate. From the ‘entrance antiphon’ to the ‘Collect’ through the readings of this ‘Gaudete Sunday’, the Church reminds us that we should rejoice. We ought not only find joy and gladness in the midst of gloom and darkness, we should be the joy, happiness, gladness, love and more to others this season. This is possible because we know that Christ our Saviour comes with hope and light. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we too become the ‘reason for this season’.

As we reach this joyous-mid point in our Advent journey, we pray for a steadfast spirit. We ask for a heart that loves till the end, enduring patiently and consistently. May what the Lord does, particularly in the lives of others and currently not in ours not confound us to the point of questioning his love for us. Instead, may we be among those who the words of the Lord himself apply to, ‘…And blessed is the one who is not offended by me’ (cf Mt 11:2_11 

     Fr. Ted