We gather to continue our Advent journey, which at times for many people, perhaps you as well, may have been dark and uncertain. But today is Gaudete Sunday. The word “gaudete” is Latin for “rejoice.” We have good reason to rejoice.
“Brothers and sisters,” St. Paul tells us in the second reading, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus…May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.”
There are times when each of us can feel lost or alone. But we are not lost. Christ has found us. We are not alone. He is with us. With Jesus in our lives, the crises we face become challenges, but not devastating events. A loved one becomes sick, or even dies. That is a reality so many people are dealing with daily due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We become sick and receive the diagnosis that our condition is terminal. A marriage falls apart. A job is lost. A friend is lost. Whatever the crisis, we know that the final result will be union with God. Jesus is with us always, particularly in the worst of our times. Rejoice in the Lord. Such is the message of Gaudete Sunday.
Within the word rejoice one finds joy. Joy is the deep satisfaction experienced whenever we come into possession of something good. But all the good things in this world, apart from God, are temporary and fragile. Money, success, health, even friendships and being in love are limited. If circumstances change or enough time passes, we either become tired of them or they go away. So, the joy that comes from possessing them is only temporary. For example, think of any Christmas present you very much-appreciated fifteen years ago. Do you still have it? Or have you outgrown it? Or is it now obsolete? Or do you even remember what it was?
Why is the Church inviting us to rejoice at this midpoint of Advent? Because Christ’s coming to earth, which Advent looks forward to, is the only source of true, lasting joy. Our hearts are thirsting for a joy that will never go away.
Our deepest desire is to be loved completely, unconditionally and everlastingly by another person. Only one person can fulfill that desire and that person is Jesus Christ. At his birth, two thousand years ago in Bethlehem, Jesus came into our midst to bring us, each and everyone of us, true, lasting joy.
Joy is the deep satisfaction that comes from possessing something good. The good thing Christians possess is the awareness that God is always with us, knows us thoroughly and loves us unconditionally, despite our shortcomings and sinfulness.
Keeping that awareness fresh in our minds keeps our joy strong, even when life’s trials seem to be crucifying us. The only way to keep that awareness fresh is through prayer, which is why Paul urges us to pray without ceasing.
He isn’t telling us to be on our knees all day long, but he is urging us to find time every day to pray. Close the door to life’s hustle and bustle for fifteen minutes. Read and reflect on a scripture passage, ideally at least one of the readings proclaimed at Mass. Take the moment to speak heart to heart with God, sharing your concerns and gratitude.
Your interaction with Jesus isn’t to be limited to this Sunday encounter; he yearns to visit with you daily. Taking time to be with him each day reminds you that he is with you.
Prayer allows the motives for joy to blossom in our hearts. The devil wants to keep us so busy that we don’t take time to pray and be mindful about the reason for this season. But, my friends, Jesus is the reason for the season; he is stronger than the devil and only he will give us the everlasting joy we so much want.
As you can see from the banner on the balcony, Advent is a season of anticipation and hope. We anticipate the coming of Christ into our lives. Hope is the belief that sooner or later things will get better. A timely example of hope is that after so many months of this pandemic, there is light at the end of the tunnel with the imminent release of a vaccine. We are hopeful that by next Christmas, this bug will be history.
Meanwhile, like Isaiah, we are sent to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, and to proclaim liberty to captives. Doing so brings joy to them and to us. We do so in a variety of ways. One would be through supporting Catholic Community Services; another would be making a donation to Good Cheer or Helping Hands with an envelope from the giving tree.
God uses each of us as his hands and feet to care for others, to radiate his love and compassion, calling on us to share our joy and goods. Yes, hope and joy capture the spirit of these readings. Isaiah says, “Listen, justice will be done.” Paul writes, “Christ will come.” John preaches, “He is already among you.” What you say and do could prompt others to also rejoice that God is in our midst to brighten our world.