Rejoice!

Homily for the 3^rd Sunday of Advent
14 December 2014

I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”. . . . Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved. (EG 3, 6)

      

       These words of Pope Francis from his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, reflect what we’re doing here, right here, right now: We’re (hopefully) renewing our personal encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ; we’re (hopefully) renewing that joy which “adapts and changes,” but which “always endures.”

        As Christians, we are people of joy.

        As Christians, we rejoice for the marvels that God has done.

        This Third Sunday of Advent has “rejoice” written all over it: the lighting of the rose-colored candle and the wearing of the rose-colored vestments; the decorations of the church taking away the starkness that was there at the beginning of the season and now beginning to reflect the celebration of to come; and, in our First and Second Readings today, we literally hear the word proclaimed to us.

        We are a people of joy!, and we are called to rejoice always.

        But we can’t rejoice if we refuse to let the joy of an encounter and relationship of Jesus Christ fill us and guide us through this life.

        Pope Francis reminds us:

  

The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ. (EG 2)

        Are you overwhelmed by the season? Too many cookies to bake? Too many presents to wrap? Too many Christmas parties? Trying to find the perfect tree? Trying to find the perfect gift? Can’t get those Christmas cards out in time? Frustrated at all the people who can’t drive on the roads?

        Then you and I are most likely not sitting in joyful, quiet stillness that this season is supposed to – and does! – offer.

        Just as John the Baptist announced the coming of the Christ, so, too, must we, by our example and witness, announce the Good News that our God has come to dwell with and redeem His people.

        In fact, we rejoice in this fact.

        I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul. – My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… – Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks . . . Do not quench the Spirit.

        The joy we are to possess as followers of Christ is a joy that which is the remedy for “the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and [the] blunted conscience” our society bombards us with on a consistent basis.

        If we are rejoicing in all the externals of the season – the gifts, the tree, the parties – then we are not rejoicing for the internal reason that our God has come to Earth and is coming again. If we are overwhelmed by the “stuff that needs to be done” to celebrate Christmas, then we’re not allowing ourselves to know the joy and peace that that encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ is supposed to foster within us.

        The joy of the Christian is to recognize that, at the very core of our being, “we are infinitely loved.” Yes, the joy we are possess will have to adapt and change as our lives adapts and changes to the world around us.

        But we are never to lose our sense of joy.

        We are never to abandon our relationship with Jesus Christ.

        In fact, our joy, which is based in our relationship with Jesus Christ, should be the primary way that we evangelize the Good News about our God dwelling among us. It is the joy of the Christian who truly lives his or her relationship with Jesus Christ that attracts others to want to know Him.

        My brothers and sisters, “rejoice always.” Allow the joy of this season of preparation permeate your heart and soul; allow the joy of this season deepen your encounters and relationship with Jesus Christ.

        Rejoice for the day of the Lord is near at hand!

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Enjoy the journey . . .