Joy amid penance
THAT’Sthe main message of the readings and prayers of the 3rd Sunday of Advent, otherwise called the “Gaudete” Sunday. The expression comes from the entrance antiphon of the Mass that cites some words of St. Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” (Phil 4, 4) It’s important that we don’t lose me.” ( Jn 14, 6) sight of our need for joy even as we If we live by this conviction go through the exercise of penance provided to us by our Christian which is what is called for in this faith, then we have every reason season of Advent. And that’s because, to be happy and at peace however as St. Paul said, the Lord is near. our earthly life turns. We should try This piece of news should gladden our best never to lose our joy and our heart even as we intensify our peace despite the difficulties, trials penitential acts to prepare ourselves and other negative things we can properly to receive him. encounter in our earthly life. This Good News, which with faith We have to remember that joy we can consider as already done, and peace are what are proper to us. should remind us of the bigger picture As Sacred Scripture would have it, “A about ourselves. We come from God merry heart is the true life of man, is and not just from our parents. We are an unfailing store of holiness. Length meant to be with God in our definitive of years is measured by rejoicing.” (Sir state of life in eternity. Our life here on 30, 23) And St. Thomas Aquinas has earth is simply a training and testing this to say also: “Happiness is a good ground to see if what God wants us to proper to human beings. Animals can be is also what we want to be. only be called happy by a misuse of
We should develop the appropriate language.” sense of nostalgia and expectation There are many benefits of joy that should bring us beyond the limits and peace. The Book of Proverbs of time and space, and lead us to God says, “A cheerful heart makes a quick in eternity. That’s where we came recovery. It is crushed spirits that from and where we are meant to be. waste a man’s frame.” (17, 22) Joy And for this, we have been given the facilitates thinking and reasoning. adequate means, none other than It helps us understand people and Christ himself who told us that he is situations. It fosters simplicity, “the way, the truth and the life. No creates a good atmosphere around, one goes to the Father except through builds up unity. Joy facilitates the exercise of penance.
We have to make sure that we are happy and peaceful. Obviously, we have to understand that to be in that state is first of all a result of grace which we should always ask for. But it is also a product of our own correspondence to God’s grace, and of our effort to closely follow Christ’s teaching and example.
The joy and peace rooted on Christ transcend the physical and earthly dimensions. They can be lived even in what may be considered humanly speaking as difficult moments of pain, suffering and privation.
For this joy and peace to be with us, we have to have a strong faith in Christ!/