13 December 2015 - shout for joy, o daughter zion

[ Today's Readings ]

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.

Always?

I shall say it again: rejoice!

Paul says it twice because he knows we have a hard time hearing it. Our joy is almost always dependent on our circumstances. If it isn't caused by them directly it is still subject to them. Our joy is a baseball game that is frequently rained out.

Perhaps our approach to joy is wrong. Perhaps we seek it in circumstances which cannot give it. Or if not, perhaps we seek to create it in ourselves. We experience joy only when we experience great circumstances or exulted feelings. We expect joy only when we are at the center of our perfect worlds. And yet, true joy is not found in exultation of self. It is found, rather, in humility before God.

“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

There is a level on which our hearts secretly believe that they can only find joy if they themselves are the Christ, perfectly able to regulate the circumstances of the world, or at least the circumstances of the heart. But John knows that joy is found, not in himself, but in the one who brings the Holy Spirit. 

This is why he is able to decrease so that Jesus may increase. This is why the friend of the bridegroom has joy to see the bridegroom come. If it were not so, it might be hard for John to recommend what seem to be such basic charity: alms-giving, not extorting, being satisfied. If his joy were in himself he would insist on novelty rather than practicality. This is just one way finding his joy in the bridegroom makes him solid. He need not fear being diminished in doing what is right. He trust in the one who prepares every good work for us in advance (cf. Ephesians 2:10).

We too can find our joy in him. When we do we are more fully empowered to do the good which God asks of us. In this season of waiting and watching and preparation we cannot forget that Jesus is indeed with us and that this is a cause for great joy. He is coming, yes. But he today we are called to celebrate the ways in which he is here.

the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

We are called to embrace the Holy Spirit which he pours out, to join in the song which he first sings over us!

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!