As we conclude the third week of Advent, we are invited to embrace the lesson of joy that Christ bestows upon us. Gaudete Sunday, or “Joyful Sunday,” marks this week with a profound reminder of the abundant joy that comes through our faith. The pink candle on the Advent wreath represents this joy, a stark contrast to the purple candles that symbolize penance and preparation. But what is this joy we are called to celebrate? For some, Christmas is a time of happiness and connection. For others, it brings sorrow, loneliness, or grief. Where then can true joy be found? The Church and Scripture provide rich answers to this question, offering a joy rooted in God, transcending all circumstances.
The First Source of Joy: Knowing God Is Near
The Advent season is a time of anticipation, a waiting for Christ’s coming at Christmas and His ultimate return at the end of time. In this waiting, we are reminded that God is near. Isaiah 7:14 foretells, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” This presence is not a distant or abstract concept. It is a tangible reality in Jesus Christ, who took on human flesh to dwell among us.
The nearness of God is a source of immense joy. In Philippians 4:4-5, St. Paul exhorts, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. The Lord is at hand.” Knowing that God is intimately involved in our lives and walks beside us through every trial and triumph brings a peace and joy that surpass understanding.
The Second Source of Joy: God’s Saving Work
True joy flows from the knowledge that through Christ’s Incarnation, Passion, Death, and Resurrection, God has accomplished our salvation. As Mary proclaims in her Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47). This joy is rooted in the transformative power of God’s grace, which liberates us from sin and restores us to communion with Him.
Salvation is not a static event but a dynamic and ongoing process. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1692) teaches that through baptism, we are initiated into the life of grace, a life that transforms and directs us toward eternal joy. This salvation work assures us that no matter how broken or weary we feel, God’s mercy renews us.
The Third Source of Joy: Worship Leads to Joy
One of the most profound expressions of joy is found in worship. Psalm 100:1-2 invites us to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!” Worship is a response to the greatness of God and a participation in the heavenly liturgy.
The Eucharist, described in CCC 1324 as the “summit and source of the Christian life,” encapsulates this truth. In the Mass, we join with the angels and saints in offering praise to God, and we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, which sustains us. This encounter with the divine brings joy that is both spiritual and deeply personal, allowing us to taste heaven on earth.
The Fourth Source of Joy: Walking in God’s Ways
Joy is not only rooted in God but also in living according to His ways. The psalmist declares, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1). God’s commandments are not burdensome; rather, they are a path to true freedom and fulfillment.
When we align our lives with God’s will, we experience a harmony and peace that worldly pursuits cannot offer. This is echoed in the words of Jesus: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:10-11). Obedience to God fosters a joy that is deep and abiding.
The Fifth Source of Joy: Joy in the Midst of Suffering
One of the paradoxes of Christian joy is that it can coexist with suffering. St. Paul, writing from prison, proclaimed, “I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 7:4). This joy is not a denial of pain but a recognition of God’s presence and purpose within it.
The Church’s teaching on redemptive suffering (CCC 1521) explains that when we unite our sufferings with Christ’s, they take on a salvific value. In this union, we find joy because we participate in the mystery of the Cross and Resurrection. This joy strengthens us, enabling us to persevere with hope and gratitude.
The Sixth Source of Joy: A Foretaste of Heavenly Joy
Advent reminds us that the joy we experience on earth is but a shadow of the eternal joy that awaits us in heaven. St. Paul writes, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). This anticipation of heaven fills us with hope and motivates us to live faithfully.
The Beatific Vision—seeing God face to face—is the ultimate fulfillment of our deepest desires. The joy of heaven is a complete and unending communion with God, where every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4). In Advent, we are called to set our hearts on this eternal promise, finding joy in the certainty of God’s love and the hope of His Kingdom.
The Seventh Source of Joy: God Himself Is Joyful
The Bible reveals that God Himself is joyful. Zephaniah 3:17 proclaims, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” This image of God rejoicing over His people is a profound reminder that joy originates in Him.
In His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated this divine joy. He celebrated at the wedding in Cana, delighted in the faith of the centurion, and welcomed children with open arms. Jesus’ joy is contagious, drawing us into deeper relationship with Him and with one another. When we embrace this joy, we reflect the image of God to the world.
Joy for All Seasons
As we light the pink candle of joy on the Advent wreath, we are reminded that this joy is not limited to moments of celebration or ease. It is a joy that endures in all circumstances because it is rooted in the unchanging love of God. For those who find this season difficult, the message of Advent is one of hope: Joy is not dependent on external conditions but on the presence and promises of God.
In a world often marked by division, sorrow, and uncertainty, the joy of Advent stands as a beacon of light. It calls us to remember that God is near, that His saving work continues, and that our ultimate destiny is eternal joy with Him. As we approach Christmas, may our hearts be filled with this joy, and may we share it with those around us, becoming living witnesses to the Gospel.
Gaudete! Rejoice! The Lord is near.
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