Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex

O.k., it is a day late but still worth posting I think.

By Msgr. Stuart Swetland

“Again I Say, Rejoice!”

Third Sunday of Advent, December 11

Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11; Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 (Responsorial Psalm); 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for the imperative—Rejoice! This comes from the Third Sunday’s entrance antiphon: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near” (Phil 4:4-5). It is emphasized in the second reading when Paul says Thessalonica: “Rejoice always.” Advent is a period of personal and communal preparation. Part of our preparation is taking into account our sinfulness and need for conversion. For some Christians the sorrow we experience for our sinfulness can lead to habitual somberness. Added to this, others mistakenly associate joy with the joviality expressed by those surrendering to illicit pleasures. Too often then, many Christians will confuse a gloomy attitude for piety. St. Teresa of Avila would chide her sour-faced companions, Lord deliver me from these joyless saints.

In fact, Christianity should be synonymous with joyfulness. Gaudete Sunday is given as a short pause during Advent’s preparation in order to recall the joy for which we prepare and which before the first Christmas, all creation had awaited. Perhaps another part of the problem is that in English “joy” and “happiness” are often used interchangeably. But “happiness” is much more an emotional reality, something that comes and goes and depends on circumstances. It gives itself away in its etymology. Happiness comes from the term hap, which means, “chance.” Happiness depends on the ebb and flow of the tides of life—what happens to us.

Joy is something much deeper. It is not the same as the superficial “don’t worry, be happy” attitude of a Caribbean rum commercial. In fact, it is easy to miss the depth and complexity of the concept of Christian joy that we are called to both celebrate and cultivate. This is one reason we celebrate three Sundays dedicated to various aspects of joy. The first of these Sundays is Gaudete Sunday, the next is the fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday) and the last is the fourth Sunday of Easter (Jubilate Sunday).

Each of these celebrations focuses on a distinct dimension of joy. Considered together, the joy of anticipation (Gaudete Sunday anticipating the celebration of Christmas), the joy of rest and refreshment (Laetare Sunday seen as a respite in the middle of Lent), and the joy of completion/achievement (Jubilate Sunday celebrating the victory of Jesus over sin, Satan and death) begin to encompass the sublime concept of Christian joy.

But even more important than celebrations, these aspects of joy are meant to be present in each Christian’s daily life. Every Sunday (in fact, every Mass) is a celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord. There should be an underlying current of joy in our lives even amidst pain and sadness. Each dimension ought to be present – the joy of expectation and anticipation as we long and work for a more perfect union with God and each other; the joy of rest and relaxation, especially in a daily time of prayer and meditation, play and friendship; and the joy of completion and achievement as we celebrate with each other what God has accomplished for us and through us for the world.

But how does one become joyful? Ultimately I believe that joy is a gift from God. It flows from love. As St. John of the Cross wrote, “the soul of one who loves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in the mood for singing.” Perhaps this kind of joy could even be contagious. Love leading to joy, joy leading to more love. Now that would be a cause for singing.