Reflection - 3rd Sunday of Advent

In the United States, our Constitution says that we are all guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Happiness? What does that mean for us? Our readings this week speak not of happiness but of joy. “In my God is the joy of my soul,” says Isaiah. Happiness depends on the quality and quantity of material goods. It comes from the outside. We often seek things because, at some level, we know that they will bring us happiness. And that's not all bad. Who wouldn’t want a beautiful home, a good-paying job, straight A’s in school, the ability to stay youthful and in great physical shape, or have the most friends on Facebook (well maybe not that one)? But joy comes from the inside. “My soul rejoices in the Lord,” our psalm says.

Today joy seems almost irreverent and irrelevant in a world where so much is going wrong. Who can be joyful when babies are starving, when people shoot each other, when we’re afraid to go outside because of the virus, when so many businesses are closing. It’s hard to be joyful about any of that. The message of joy in this kind of world would be almost cynical – except that joy has never had very much to do with what is going on in the world. That is what makes joy different from happiness or pleasure or fun. All of the others depend on certain conditions – good health, a good job, a happy family, lots of toys and possessions. It might sound trite, but the only condition for joy is the presence of God.

We know, however, that often there is much in our lives that seriously detracts from our joy, suppresses it, and in some cases nearly extinguishes it. Life can be hard, disappointing and at times filled with a great deal of sadness. I don’t have to tell you that. Joy? Sometimes our life experiences lead us far from it. And at times we do our best to put on a “good face,” pretending that we are happier than we really are. And while we sometimes do that, we know that almost everyone can see right through it. So how do we find joy amidst the difficulties of life?

Paul tells us, “Do not quench the spirit.” And that’s the key. The joy we are to radiate as people of faith is not, nor can be, manufactured by us. It comes from God dwelling in us – the God who was born of Mary, walked among us, died for us, and whose spirit now resides within us. John the Baptist is a voice crying in the wilderness announcing the advent of new life and light, announcing that the source of all light and life was coming to restore, to renew, to redeem the world. And that’s where true joy comes from.

And so, as we continue to make our way through Advent, let’s first realize and acknowledge that our lives do say something to other people. The way we live is an expression of what we truly believe. And with that in mind, may we always do all in our power (in realty, God’s power) to find ways of remaining joyful no matter what – not in a “pretend” sort of way, but in a genuine way – one which comes from knowing how deeply we are loved and how far God is willing to care for us, to dwell within us, and to save us.

Do you truly want others to know God? Do you want people to place their trust in him? Do you want people to realize that life has a purpose? Put simply, do you want people to experience God, to truly encounter him in their day-to-day lives? It’s not that complicated. Be a joyful person!

If you have a brief faith reflection on today’s reading that you would like to share, please send it to me at deaconruss@holyspiritunoh.org.