Third Sunday of Advent
Do you remember Bobby McFerrin? And do you remember his song “Don’t Worry, be happy?” It was the No. 1 song in 1982. The lyrics to the song go:
Here's a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy now.
Every time I read Paul’s words in today’s second reading “Rejoice Always!” I am reminded of Bobby McFerrin’s song. In another letter Paul becomes even more emphatic. He says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” (Phil 4:4) The strange thing is that Paul’s had an intensely rough life after his conversion. The early Christians too were also in constant danger. Perhaps that is the reason that after asking the Thessalonians to “Rejoice always,” he also adds, “Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Is Paul’s invitation to Rejoice is the same as Bobby McFerrin’s call to “Don’t worry, be happy?”
Today is the third Sunday of Advent and it is also called Gaudate or Rejoice Sunday. Of course, the joy of this Sunday is closely connected to the upcoming birthday of Jesus. But the uppermost question in my mind is the practicality of Paul’s invitation to always rejoice. What does it mean to rejoice and is it possible to rejoice always? In my three points, I would like to reflect on this question.
1. What is Joy? To rejoice always can be a tall order if we think that joy means being on a perpetual high. Joy does not mean the absence of sadness or sorrow. Paul understands joy as a Christian attitude no matter what the circumstance. And that is the key – joy is an attitude toward life. However, Paul does not treat joy independently. He connects joy to two other - praying unceasingly and giving thanks in all circumstances. Paul encourages the early Christians to adopt prayer as a conscious and constant state of mind which includes prayers of intercession. Prayer, for Paul, is symbolic of our relationship with God. It is also an act of dependence on God. And then there is thanksgiving. In Pauline thinking, the principal duty of every human person is to give honor and thanks to God. In other words, joy, no matter what the circumstance, joy is an attitude we develop from being prayerful and grateful. In other words, joy is more than being cheerful or as Bobby McFerrin says, “Don’t worry, be happy.” It is the confidence that comes from having God close by at all times.
2. Joy is integral to our identity. Today’s gospel reading tells us that Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John the Baptist, "Who are you?" Surprisingly, John answers their question by saying not who by he is but rather by defining who Christ is for him. He says, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” Christ is the person through whom John defines is own life. He finds the meaning of his life in Christ’s. What is true of John is also true of us. One of our most basic existential question is, “Who am I?” Really, “Who are you?” Ironically, as with John, your answer and mine can only be found by defining who Jesus is for us. Folks Jesus is not a crutch we use to get through life. As Christians, Jesus is the most central, crucial, significant and vital dimension of our life. If Christ is not firmly enthroned in the depths of our being; if Christ’s teachings are not the guide to our lives; and if we are not moving deliberately with and toward Christ who is our destiny, then genuine joy will evade it. Yes, we will be happy sometimes and perhaps even be cheerful. But joy – that is a decision we make of having Christ at the center.
3. Joy of his Community Affair. It is very common for us to often ignore the psalm response in our reflection on the Sunday scriptures. Today’s Psalm response is the Magnificat (Mary’s song of praise. She sang, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed.” The rest of Mary’s song is about how God has filled the hungry with good things, and how God favors the poor, the humble and those in need. In other words, Mary knew her God and who she was in God. But she completes her joy by also bringing her community, especially the poor and helpless, into focus. She visits Elizabeth instead of focusing on her own pregnancy. Mary teaches the invaluable lesson that joy is a community affair. Joy comes from being in genuine relationship with each other as well. Mary teaches us to discover the joy of self-sacrifice, the joy of commitment to the poor, and the joy of being there for those in need. This Christmas, let joy come to us, not because we share from our abundance, but from selfless and genuine commitment to those in need. There is a big difference between Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t worry, be happy,” and Mary’s “My soul glorifies the Lord.” Hopefully, now we see the difference.
As we prepare to bring bread and wine to the altar, let us bring our need for meaning and purpose to this altar. Here we discover Christ. Here we can build our relationship with him. Here we can bring Christ in to the very core of our life. Not merely as individuals, but as a community, let us find contentment, meaning, and joy. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph