Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.
Today’s Gaudete Sunday, Joy Sunday, is based on today’s happy Bible readings, like from the verses of the Philippians letter which we heard today.
St. Paul is describing the joy of faith and the joy of salvation. He writes to the Philippi church, which in turn, has given him much joy. They have responded heartily to the Gospel of Jesus. It’s a great thing to share life in Jesus Christ!
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.
No matter what is going on in your life that is unpleasant, or badly going on around you—rejoice, because the first and utmost thing is taken care of. You have a reconciled life with God in Jesus Christ. You have a life of salvation. There are people around you, in church, who also want to share the joy of salvation in Jesus Christ. We are a spiritual family in the Lord. Be glad in it.
I just love the relationships I get to make with people because of our commonality in Jesus Christ and the fullness of faith in the Catholic Church. I think of the many soul friends I have through the years from all ages, ethnic origins, male and female, rich, middle class and poor—all in our one knowing and living in Jesus Christ. One example of such joy was in a Sunday prayer group experience I had some years ago in a Montgomery county parish, where we had people from five continents in it, representing varied ages of people, and with group members being both from high government or corporate officials to being along local au pairs and lawn cutters. All of them and I were meeting in Christ to pray through a Jesuit prayer book series. All saw themselves to others as co-equals and the same in Christ Jesus—which I recognized as something unique that the Spirit of Christ does offer forth to us. We each had the time free after the late morning Mass, and the spiritual thirst for prayer development, so what formed together was an adult-ed group.
I did just say a minute ago that: No matter what is going on in your life that is unpleasant, or badly going on around you—rejoice anyway. Pay heed that there will still be trials and tribulations in the world to deal with—but Jesus has said: “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” From John chapter 16:33.
Never count out what has already now been done for us and in us by Jesus Christ. To the Christians who might have a few issues with being glad while hurting—St. James has something likewise to say to them: “Count it all joy when you encounter various trials and temptations, because under pressure, it may produce patience and then a work to perfect and complete you.” Yes, and that’s the joy in that, that even our difficulties may be used by the Lord for our fullest conversion to Him, in the finish.
When it comes to joy and Advent and Christmas, I think I have had a good share of it in leading Children’s Christmas pagaents, annually. One year back long ago, I had all things go right for a new script, lots of available children and teens, and an expectant church on Christmas eve. It went swimmingly well and to our surprise a nationally famous actress and actor were at the Mass and in the front row. She gave us great compliments after it. It all felt great for us.
It encouraged me to keep doing pageants at various parishes up through here in my Resurrection parish time. We rehearsed on Saturday morning for the 2024 version. While it is challenging to succeed with it, it usually comes along at is used by the Lord to bring joy to the Christmas vigil. It is the sense of what Philippians’ verse says: Rejoice, and then rejoice again, in the Lord!
Maybe this pageant thing I enjoy can go back to having a superb middle school teacher for two years in a school chorale course. We did various shows in school and malls and events that probably blessed a lot of people. She had us all singing well and with enthusiasm and a smile. Thanks Mrs. Clarke, wherever you are, for your joy. You were a beaming Christian that shone a good light for many. Whenever I hear “Ding Dong Merrily on High” I have a laugh about learning how to be a back-up singer for the lead parts. It is a joyful memory each year around. Like on this Gaudete Sunday. \