Rejoice at the thought of the arrival of Christ

REJOICE

Today is called Gaudete Sunday, a Latin word meaning ‘rejoice’ taken from the first words of today’s Mass.  The Church is telling us to rejoice because we are more than half way through Advent in our preparation for Christmas.  The big question at this moment is, “Are you and I full of joy?” 

Experience bears it out that rejoicing is not always the hallmark of every Christian.  All too often Christianity has been associated with sadness.   Many of us are more familiar with the Gospel message of carrying the cross than the abiding characteristic of joy.  We tend to think of Jesus as the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief, yet as He concluded His ministry and was about to leave for Heaven, He said, "These things I have spoken to you that My joy might be in you and your joy complete."  While there is hardship and suffering in the life of Jesus there is a joy which is compatible with pain.

If you attend daily Mass during Advent you will see that the joy of Advent shines forth throughout the readings and prayers with an inspiring message of hope and encouragement urging us to rejoice and be happy because the Lord is near.  What is more it tells us that joy is basic to being a Christian and our vocation is to radiate this joy.

We were created for happiness – to be happy in this world and to be happy with God forever in the next.  It is the purpose of our whole being and we should spend our lives searching and striving to attain it.  Somehow this happiness seems to escape us as we go searching after it in the wrong places.

Our greatest mistake is to equate joy with pleasure and to look for it in material things.  We can buy pleasure and it will cost us dearly, but all the money in the world cannot purchase happiness.

Christian joy is something deeper and richer than the smile and laughter upon a happy face.  It comes from an awareness that God is with us and produces a contentment and an inner peace that cannot be taken from us.  Friendship with God is the source of Christian joy.  No trials can drown this joy since it is born of faith.  Sometimes this joy is hard to describe but it is evident in the life of a believer.

On the first Christmas when God came down in the person of Jesus, He filled the world with glad tidings of great joy.  His life pointed towards God His Father in joy, prayer and thanksgiving.  He invites us to unite ourselves in joy with Him but we are so caught up with our daily problems that we fail to reflect His marvellous joy.

This joy that we receive from Jesus we will want to give to others.  There is no greater proof that we possess this joy than to give it to others.  Our Christmas joy cannot be complete unless we show generosity to those who have nothing to give us in return.  We cannot reflect the light who is Christ if we live by values that do not even remotely resemble those of the Gospel.  The happiest people are those who are doing the most for others.  They know from experience that it is giving that we receive.  Our joy will be crowned and complete when we hear from the Master Himself, "Well done good and faithful servant, come and join in your Master's happiness.

One of our best preparations for Christmas is to make a sincere Confession.  When did you last go to Confession?  Listen to the words of Blessed Pope John Paul, "If you don't go to Confession once a month you are not taking your spiritual life seriously."  I can think of three reasons why he said this.  First, in Confession we meet Jesus and that's a good reason.  Second, it strengthens our relationship with Jesus.  We never know what is ahead of us.  Should we have to face some crisis we will remain close to Jesus and not turn our backs on Him.  Third, it is our ticket to Heaven.  I

can't see when we die the Lord saying, "Who are you?"  He will say, “I know you.  Every month you wanted to put yourself right with Me and your neighbour.  Come on Heaven is waiting for you.

Lord Jesus, there are not many days left for Christmas.  Help me to spend every day from now until Christmas thinking how Mary and Joseph prepared for Your coming.  They will help me prepare well for Christmas.  Let our prayer be “Mother Mary, how well you and Joseph prepared for the birth of your Son Jesus.  By ardently longing for His birth may I give birth to Jesus in my heart this Christmas day.” 

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