Reflection on the Readings

In the Army, there’s a tradition of giving a young soldier a “drive on” tab before departing for Airborne school or Ranger school. The drive on tab is a cloth tab that a soldier wears on their uniform once they have successfully completed training. It is meant to be a source of encouragement for the soldier during the tough days ahead in training. It is meant to help the soldier stay focused and to motivate the soldier to drive on despite the obstacles and challenges that are sure to come.

As we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the Church offers us its own ‘drive on tab’, if you will, as we approach the second half of Advent, and it’s in the form of Gaudete (REJOICE) Sunday. This Sunday we are reminded and encouraged to drive on, to keep moving forward and to Rejoice!

REJOICE – this theme and the word is taken directly from our 2nd reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. To rejoice means to revel in the presence of or experience of JOY.

We may be wondering how we can rejoice this Sunday despite all the challenges that face us personally and/or the world around us?

Friends, the call to rejoice may seem a little hollow since many of us may be facing challenges on a personal level, never mind what each of us is bombarded with when it comes to world events. There may be financial stresses, health problems, overwhelming deadlines at work, and dysfunctional relationships with family members in our lives. In the world we see rioting, violence, terrorist attacks, political instability, and various forms of the religious persecution of Christians. So, in the midst of all this, the call to rejoice may seem a bit out-of-touch. But, friends, we musn’t forget that Joy is a fundamental Christian disposition. JOY is what singles a Christian out from among others in the world.

Pope Francis has said that “Joy” is one of the 4 behaviors by which Christians will be known (FYI, the other 3 are love, harmony, and suffering). In his apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis wrote that we must disagree with “those prophets of doom” who see nothing hopeful in the world. He also has said that “One of the more serious temptations which stifles boldness and zeal is a defeatism which turns us into complaining and disillusioned pessimists, ‘sourpusses.’” (You have to love a pope that uses the word “sourpusses” in an official papal exhortation!).

While it is true that joy is often manifested in an outward and visible fashion, “Joy” isn’t just something you see. Joy is something that can be found within us but doesn’t originate from within us. Real Christian Joy goes above and beyond laughter, smiles and cheer. Real Christian Joy is a gift that we receive when we open ourselves up to it.

And there’s no better season than the season of Christmas to receive the gift of JOY. At Christmas we sing, “Joy to the world! The Lord has come. Let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare Him room.”

Fr. David C. Santos, Pastor