Lec # 8- 3rd
Sunday of Advent- Dec 17, 2017- Fr. Bresowar
Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent. During this season of preparation the Church gives us a
special Sunday, denoted by the color of Rose, to reflect on the theme of joy.
Henri Nouwen described a
difference between joy and happiness, he said “While happiness is dependent on external
conditions, joy is "the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally
loved and that nothing -- sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression,
war, or even death -- can take that love away.” Thus joy can be present
even in the midst of sadness.
This
past week I heard many confessions and was present to the reality that many
people suffer from their own sins and the sins of others. Even a few days ago a
child came to me in tears because it was his birthday and his father had
promised to remain sober, but could not keep his promise. I’ve seen women and
children abused time and time again by the disease of alcoholism. It’s
terrible, and yet we must understand that addiction is a disease and like many
diseases it takes time to overcome.
I’ve
seen terrible afflictions fall upon many people in many different
circumstances, from families and loved ones experiencing the death of a child,
to a good friend of mine suddenly losing his mother with no time to prepare.
Illnesses, addictions to drugs, alcohol, and sex; a lack of forgiveness,
fighting between husbands and wives, abuse, sin and darkness. These are the
realities that so often are the culprits which affect our happiness.
The reality
is that while sin exist in the world, there will always be injustices all
around us. Our happiness will always be under attack in some form or manner.
Some will be caused by our own struggles and others will be caused by the
struggles of those we care deeply about.
God never
promised that we would always be happy. In fact, his very life showed us that
this life would be a constant struggle. Many people heard the message of Jesus
and walked away, others hated him for it, and some plotted to kill him and
eventually they succeeded.
John the
Baptist preached a message of repentance and eventually they killed him. Mary
said yes to God’s plan and as soon as the child was born she received a
prophesy of suffering and then had to leave to Egypt. Eventually she would walk
with her son along his path to the cross and would hold her dead son in her
arms.
As Henry
Nouwan stated so elegantly, happiness is affected by external conditions. Yet
Joy, Joy is something altogether different.
While
happiness can be there or not, Christian Joy is something which if one has it,
even if terrible injustices occur, it can never be taken away.
While
individuals tried to kill her son Jesus, while she walked with him in his
passion, Mary never despaired, although she was not happy about what was
happening, she kept inside of her the joy of knowing that her son was the
savior of the world and that his death was not the end.
John the
Baptist, while maybe at times he had doubts, knew interiorly that Jesus was the
Lamb of God, and no matter what happens, if he kept God’s commands and
completed the work he had been called to do, nothing could take this joy from
him.
Joy is
what keeps us going despite the pain. Joy is something which exist in those who
have true faith.
The more
we pray, the more we stay close to the sacraments and receive the Holy Spirit,
the more our joy is increased.
St.
Maximillian Kolbe was a prisoner of the Nazi’s and he was condemned to die. While he
set in his prison he would inspire those around him with singing songs and
hymns of hope, to remind those who were to share his fate, that this suffering
was only temporary.
St.
Ignatius of Antioch refused to be saved from being killed by lions. These
saints and so many more had a joy which enabled them to overcome fear.
If we
only knew what God has prepared for those who truly love him, and if we would walk
by faith, then we too would always be filled with great hope and joy as were
the Saints, even though they also knew many times of sadness and pain.
Joy is
knowing that we are loved and that this love cannot be taken away from us. We
may have to suffer a little while longer, but this is so that our faith may be
made pure and our joy may be made more manifest. Jesus Christ is on the way,
the hope of the world is coming. His victory over sin and death will be made
manifest in all who choose to believe and follow.
May God
Bless you, and may each of us do what is necessary to obtain the unending joy
of the Word made Flesh so as to never lose it.
