Rejoice in the Lord. Be happy. Rejoice. Today is a special Sunday. Traditionally we call that Laudate Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday. because Laudate is Latin word which means rejoice. We are called to be joyful people. Catholics and believers, we are called to rejoice. God created us to be happy, and God wants us to be happy. Today is rejoice Sunday. Joy belongs to the Christian and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. If there is no joy among Christians, something is missing in the proclamation of the gospel. As Christians and believers we are joyful people.
Now, you may wonder why the Church calls this third Sunday of Advent, Rejoice Sunday. Why we should be happy ? What is the secret to be happy? What is the cause of this joy? And how to be happy in the midst of the violence, pandemic, and poverty in the world ? Saint Paul tells us that we should be happy, we should rejoice always in the Lord because the Christ is near. “Rejoice always in the Lord.……..Be happy…”.
We should be happy not because everything is going well with us right now, not because our health and finances are in great shape, not even because someone gave us a big Christmas present, but simply because the Lord is near.
Paul’s message is powerful. He is teaching us not only by word but by example as well. Because he wrote this message when he was in prison in Rome for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. In spite of the conditions in which he found himself, Saint Paul tells us that we should not be worried we have to trust God and bring everything and every situation to God no matter what the problem we are facing . What beautiful advice from Saint Paul for us in this time of Advent . In this context, I have to say that Saints Joseph and Paul Parish is generous community because there is a good spirit among us, a spirit of sharing. It is amazing to see how people are ready to share and to serve. This is the heart of Christmas.
My brothers and sisters, Christian joy needs to be shared to the people around us, because we have to show the joy that Christ is with us. He lives in us. Let us pray….let us ask God the gift of joy.
Rejoice in the Lord, always. Be happy
