Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Throughout the course of the liturgical year, there are two distinct celebrations that have the very specific intent of bringing the concept of joy to the forefront. One of them, Laetare Sunday, occurs at the halfway point of Lent, reminding us that even in penitential times, joy can be found. The other, Gaudete Sunday, is what we’re celebrating this weekend, and every year on the Third Sunday of Advent. But where does the concept of joy fit into our overall understanding of faith?
What exactly is joy as we think about it in our faith? The first place that springs to my mind of where joy is talked about in our faith, comes under the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Things like peace, joy, gentleness, self-control, etc. are ways in which we can look at ourselves and those around us and see if the work of the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. When we notice someone who seems to handle things with a peaceful demeanor, or has tremendous self-control in a stressful moment, or lives with a consistent joyful attitude, these are strong indications that the Holy Spirit is with them, actively supplying them with the grace they need. Does that mean that when we’re upset, stressed, and feeling down that the Holy Spirit has somehow left us? By no means, but when the fruit is evident, it shows us more clearly the source, which is the grace of God.
But joy is much more than a signpost pointing to God’s presence in our lives. If joy was only that, our participation with it would be awfully limited, it would seem. And yet, I hope and believe that many of us experience joy quite often in our lives, which is a good thing. While not quite a virtue in and of itself, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, joy is something we can work on and develop as part of the virtue of charity. Joy is a charitable thing? Maybe at first glance, that seems incorrect. But when we love another person and share ourselves with them, is not a sense of joy part of that experience? And while it might seem to be a natural by-product of love and charity, there is a certain way we can be active in our joy as well.
What might that look like, to be actively rejoicing? Thinking of it as an act of charity, how is it that you share your joy with others? I encourage us all to be a bit more generous in our laughter and mirth with each other, to rejoice more readily when you hear good news for others, to see the good in another person and rejoice in it in such a way that they are certain of your love for them. Friends, joy is wonderful, powerful part of our faith experience. May you be filled with joy as we approach the wonder of Christmas!
Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan
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