Despite its penitential overtones with shades of purple, Advent is really meant to be a time of joy; at least that is what both Zephaniah and Paul are telling us. But joyful doesn’t mean the same thing as jolly. Joy speaks of pleasure that arises from a sense of well being or satisfaction. For some of us, that is easier said than done.
Anyone seeking joy, especially in this upcoming Christmas should ask the same question we find in the Gospel, “What should we do?” Christians seeking to live a good and decent life ought to ponder that question because our faith is not just a matter of prayer; it is also lived out in what we do.
One of my favorite storytellers, Fr. Anthony deMello offers his insight withthis fitting story.
A man said to the master, “I am in desperate need of help or I will go crazy. We’re living in a single room; my wife, my children and my in-laws. So, our nerves are on edge, we yell and scream at one another. The room is a hell.”
“Do you promise to do whatever I tell you?” asked the master gravely. “I swear I shall do anything,” he replied.
“Very well. How many animals do you have?” the master asked. “A cow, a goat and six chickens,” the man said.
“Take them all into the room with you. Then come back after a week.” The disciple was stunned. But he promised to obey! So he took the animals into his house. A week later he came back, a pitiful figure, moaning, “I’m a nervous wreck. The dirt! The stench! The noise! We’re all on the verge of madness!”
“Go back,” said the master, “and put the animals out.” The man ran all the way home. He came back the following day, his eyes sparkling with joy. “How sweet life is! The animals are out. The home is a paradise, so quiet, clean and roomy!”
Advent is a time for more than looking at the shape of our homes; it is also a time for looking at our lives and preparing for what is coming, a time for what I would call attitude adjustment. In the midst of our preparation, we should ask ourselves that same question we heard thrice in the gospel.
What should we do? Notice that each time the question was posed to John, he responded with a different answer. To the crowds, he essentially said, “Share what you have with those in need.” To the tax collectors, he told them to be honest and stop collecting more than was prescribed by the law. To the soldiers, he warned them not to falsely accuse anyone and be satisfied with their wages. Once again, the gospel provides us with a timeless question with timeless answers.
So, what should we do? When we consider the situation of our desperate friend who came to the master seeking help because of his crowded life, we can see that his living situation did not change from what it was originally to where it ended up. There was the same group, living in the same house as there had been to start with.
What changed was the man’s perception of life. After having lived with the additional animals, dirt, stench and noise, he realized that his original situation was no so bad after all. In fact, he found tremendous peace and joy, realizing how greatly blessed he was.
So what should we do? John is challenging his listeners to go beyond casual charity so ask yourself, “When was the last time you were inspired to change your life in a practical and charitable way?” Keep in mind that God has blessed us with life and given us all that we need to nurture that life. Life need not be seen as luring us to get more and more just because our consumer-oriented society demands it.
Behind that drive we assume is the inner quest for joy yet John’s observation suggest that joy can be found not in the pursuit of more than we already possess but in a greater appreciation of what we already have. That makes sense for joy and happiness cannot be found in our hearts if anxiety, selfishness, and ingratitude reside there as well.
So what should we do? We should slow down and smell the roses as the saying goes. Then, patiently and carefully we should see what life is all about. Just think of the treasures we have received from our generous God: the freedom and good health, for example, to gather here for worship. There are many people elsewhere who cannot do that.
When selfishness is replaced by selflessness; when confidence shows anxiety the door; when inattention to God is turned to prayer; when ingratitude is changed to thanksgiving, then joy and peace come to stand guard in our hearts. Bringing happiness to others increases your chances of being happy and joyful. Yes, we should, as Paul suggest, shout for joy. We should rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again, rejoice for we have much to be thankful for!
If joy is what we want in our lives, I am certain that John would tell us that there is no better way for us to find it than to love tenderly, act justly, and walk humbly. Be mindful of others and the joy you seek will be yours in this lifetime and the next.