Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!
All of us have asked or have been asked about Christmas readiness. The question behind this question is, “Are you ready to be joyful?” And the answer to that question is inevitably, “NO!” There always more tasks to accomplish, gifts to buy, presents to wrap, decorations to put up, cookies to bake, and cards to write. Despite the reality that there is not enough time to get everything done, this Gaudete Sunday comes to us with words of unapologetic optimism. Gaudete! Rejoice! “Rejoice in the Lord always,” the epistle tells us today, “I shall say it again: rejoice!”
Rejoicing isn’t always easy this time of year, not only because of the pressure to get everything done, but because the sorrows and disappointments of life are felt deeper during these days. Rejoicing does not imply happiness or contentment with life. The joyful message of this Sunday is founded in the truth that the source of our redemption and our hope is near. Near, not just in the proximity of the annual celebration of the incarnation, but near in the everyday mystery of the Lord’s presence.
St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians is often referred to as his “letter of joy.” One of the ironies of this designation is that Paul composed this letter from prison, quite possibly from his final imprisonment in Rome. In today’s reading, Paul speaks of the importance for Christians to “rejoice!” Despite all of Paul’s distress and personal persecutions for the faith, he admonishes believers to “have no anxiety at all.” Paul remained, throughout his 30-year ministry, an apostle to the Gentiles as well as an apostle of “advent.” He waited in the spirit of hope and expectation for the return of Christ. Like John the Baptist, Paul served the Lord and answered his call to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all those waiting to experience the presence of a savior.
Today we say, REJOICE! Not because we overlook the work to be done or are oblivious to sorrow and tragedy. We rejoice, because as people of faith, we profess the words of our responsorial psalm every day of our lives.
God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage are the LORD, and he has been my savior.
We rejoice because in sending his Son among us, God is and will be the reason for our joy and hope.
REJOICE IN GOD’S MERCY – Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the surest way to experience joy in our days of preparation for Christmas. Please take note of the various times the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is scheduled here at St. Rose, and take advantage of these opportunities to share in His joyful mercy.
Peace,