Joy in Our Savior

The first reason for joy relates to salvation or to the Savior who effects it, since salvation is the culminating joyful event of all human history. This is why the news of the Savior's birth was announced as "tidings of great joy" (Lk 2:10). This is why the Magi, "when they saw the star, were overjoyed" (Mt 2:10). This is why Mary proclaimed in her canticle, "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Lk 1;47); she was celebrating the Savior's arrival and anticipating the great salvation event. And even before Mary, we see this salvation-joy sparkling in the scriptural forerunners of her Magnificat—in the prayers of Hannah: "My heart rejoices in the Lord" (1 Sm 2:1); in Isaiah: "l delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation" (Is 61:10); and Habakkuk: "l will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior" (Hb 3:18).

Salvation is the receiving end of redemption and essentially, redemption means rescuing. Jesus, our rescuing Redeemer, claimed the prophecy of Isaiah: Spirit of the Lord... has sent me... to release the oppressed (Lk 4:18-19). It was this joyful release from bondage that the eunuch experienced, "rejoicing" after his baptism by Philip (Acts 8:39); likewise, the Samaritan city where Philip proclaimed the salvation messsage resounded with "great joy" (8:8). Paul too spoke of salvation joy in God through Jesus (for example, see Romans 5:11). The release of hostages is always an occasion of rejoicing, as many a newscast has shown. How much greater should be our joy over our salvation-release from the bonds of sin and darkness!

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.