December 17
Third Sunday of Advent
“My soul rejoices in my God.”
Readings
Reflection
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks…” (1 Thes. 5:16-18)
To this command from St. Paul today, I think we’d probably say, “Hmm, sorry that’s probably not possible, nor could it ever be sustainable even if it were!” How often, especially this time of year, does grief in all its varied forms or the innumerable tasks and errands keep us from being able to rejoice? I could certainly see how we could have moments of rejoicing in our lives from time to time, but not perpetual rejoicing, not perpetual prayer nor perpetual thanksgiving…
“May the God of peace make you perfectly holy…blameless in spirit, soul, and body.” (1 Thes. 5:23)
The continuation of Paul’s prayer shows us that for us to be able to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all things, it entails his grace helping us to become blameless and without sin. Only when we start to live our true authentic freedom that God offers do we find the path that leads to real rejoicing. Maybe this is a space where we are reminded that the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation is one that should always lead us to give thanks. Jesus never tires of extending his mercy to those who seek it.
But why? What do we gain by living in this space of heart? The reason we are being invited to rejoice in all things is again a reflection of our Advent season. Amazement and bewilderment should fill us when we ponder God’s activity and his persistent desire to share our humanity and our suffering through his Incarnation. God who is perfect and who is in need of nothing, chooses to come to us and set us free from all that enslaves us (grief, addiction, sin, etc). O come, O come, Emmanuel, ransom captive Israel! In his goodness, God has not abandoned us (nor will he abandon us) to live in the darkness of our sin, pain, or grief.
So the moments and seasons of life when we struggle to be able to rejoice, pray, and give thanks, are the exact times in prayer when we should open our hearts to receive God’s grace anew and specifically recall his Incarnation. In those spaces where we feel most in need or most helpless, we can be reminded that God rushes to pervade our darkness with his light. This is the truth of the Incarnation and the nativity of Jesus, but it’s also still true even now, within the interior lives of our hearts and souls. God’s healing grace can transform us to be people who can always rejoice, no matter how dire things may seem, so let's strive to always live in his light and in his grace.
Peace,
Would you like to receive these reflections in your inbox? Subscribe to The Sunday Read newsletter.