Franciscan Fractal
Contemplating Today’s Culture through the Eyes of St. Francis & the Life of Christ
“Advent’s Pause”
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing. Isaiah 35:1-2
In a change of pace, we exuberantly light the third candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle is one that gives us a break from our focused routine of prayer, contemplation, and repentance. Unlike the blue or purple candles that represent hope, peace, and love, this third candle is “pink.” It is called the candle of “Joy.” With a focus on joy, this Sunday of Advent has been named “Gaudete,” which means “rejoice” in Latin. It has also been given the name “Shepherds’ Sunday,” since the angel announced great joy to the shepherds first. And, it is a day of unexpected celebration – one that breaks the traditional solemnity of the Advent Season.
Often the feeling of joy is confused with happiness. Happiness may be temporary and created by factors outside of one’s self. It can wax and wane depending on the circumstance. Receiving good news or even buying a new gift for yourself can cause a feeling of happiness. The feeling lasts for a while, and then it eventually wears off.
True joy, on the other hand, is a deep encounter with God that creates a sense of calmness and well-being. Unlike external events that trigger happiness, joy comes from deep inside of a person – the place where God alone dwells. Joy springs up from a fidelity of living a life consistent with one’s values that are inscribed on one’s soul by God. It transcends happiness and stays firmly in place, regardless of life’s circumstances. Joy is also related to finding purpose in being a child of God. It always comes to us as a “gift” from the Holy Spirit, just as “grace” is a gift from God. (Galatians 5:22) The ultimate gift in this Season of Advent is Jesus, the Christ.
Even when facing heartache and suffering, joy can still find a home in our lives. Joy is based on a relationship with God – a relationship that can never end. Nothing, even our worst actions, can separate us from our connection with God and God’s love for us. With joy we can endure hardship. As we weather the storms of life, joy acts as the keel on our boat keeping us upright and afloat.
We may admittedly find joy’s presence wanting when we are experiencing sorrow and loss. Lest we forget, joy should not be confused with happiness. In sorrow, we may feel the transient loss of a connection to God and others. Yet, ironically, true joy remains. It returns to full view when we regain our experience of belonging to God, and the stability that God has planted deep inside of our being.
And, how is joy supported? Joy can be found through God’s presence exhibited in many ways, but especially in centering prayer and meditation. We also find joy in the truth of Scripture, as the world temps us to believe otherwise. Hearing God’s Word frequently and participating in the Eucharist tethers us to God’s joy. When we seem to lack joy, we are reaffirmed in God’s joy through our church community, even on our worst of days. Above all, we find joy in God's endless love and promise of salvation, where all things are being made whole.
Joy also enriches our lives through empowering us to do many things. We find in silence a capacity to focus in centering prayer and meditation as we offer our inner most being to God. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) In joy, we find the fortitude to stand firm in our spiritual beliefs. We live with purpose to serve God, and do so with vigor. Joy gives us the energy to pursue genuine and deep relationships with others. And, it allows us to rejoice in all things, whether our perception of events is positive or negative. (I Thessalonians 5:16)
Should we become anxious that we will not fully experience joy, we need only to remember what the angel of God said to the shepherds in the fields, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY.” (Luke 2:10)
Prayers and the Blessing of Great Joy,
Fr. John
