‘Rejoice, the Lord is near’
This is ‘Gaudete’ Sunday. The Latin word means ‘rejoice’. We light the pink candle on the advent wreath today to remind us that, while this is a season of quiet reflection it is also a time to be joyful. There is good news in the air. The Lord is near. Joy is something deep and lasting. It is totally different from pleasure. It can co-exist with suffering and struggle. We have only to consider the scene in Bethlehem to grasp the truth of this statement. Despite the dire surroundings, real joy filled the lowly stable. Joy is the most certain sign of the presence of God within us. John the Baptist tells us today that this joy is nourished most powerfully, when we reach out generously in the service of others: ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none’. The key to joy then, is service. ‘The secret of joy is living to serve’ (Pope Francis). We experience this joy fleetingly during the Advent and Christmas season when believing, noticing and giving become part of the air we breathe. Those who are happiest are those who do most for their brothers and sisters. Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud this Christmas and experience true joy!
The truest, purest joy flows from a discovery of Jesus Christ. If you carry joy in your heart you can heal any moment…