Gaudete Sunday – Be joyful –
- How can we be joyful?
- Bruising election cycle
- Health problems
- Financial reversal
- Family issues
Well let’s see what we can learn about Joy from our Bible readings for today.
Our first three readings are all about Joy
1st reading – from the prophet Zephaniah
Responsorial Psalm from the prophet Isaiah
SLIDE:
Why Joy
- God is near
- Nothing to fear
- Our sins are removed
- Thank God
Prophets foretell promises of God
– God is near – God is among us
– nothing more to fear – fear is the foundation of all desolation, all that drags us down
– our sins are removed – Jesus restored our relationship with God
– thank God -gratitude is the foundation of all consolation, all that makes us feel good.
– we need to replace fear and worry with gratitude and thanksgiving. Remember what we celebrate Eucharist is the Greek word for Thanksgiving
Our second reading is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It’s one I’ve memorized to remind myself whenever I feel down.
Try and say it from memory
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)
This 2nd reading is from Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This is called Saint Paul’s letter of joy. St Paul shows us that we can be joyful no matter what our circumstances. Saint Paul wrote this letter of Joy while he was in prison.
So how can we be joyful even when we’re wrongly in prison.
SLIDE:
Why Joy
- Joy is a choice
- Joy an attitude of gratitude
Joy is a choice not a feeling – We can’t be happy all the time, but we can be joyful all the time. Some may not be feeling joy two angels one on either shoulder, good, bad which ever you feed will grow stronger.
Joy comes from an attitude of gratitude – remember, an attitude of gratitude is the foundation of all good feelings. Key to Joy-Not get what you want but want what you get or see glass half full vs half empty. You might say, why is this so put focus on what have vs what we lack.
Finally, Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God in our life
SLIDE:
Joy is the surest sign
of the presence of God
in our life
I am going to close with Pope Francis’ Christmas message from last year:
“The message of Bethlehem is indeed good news of great joy (Lk 2:10).
This is the joy that consoles hearts, renews hope and bestows peace
it is the joy born of being God’s beloved sons and daughters
