My Sisters & Brothers

This is the Sunday of Joy. The readings for today are infused with a spirit of celebration and a confident energetic tone that acknowledges the nearness of Christ's coming. But despite the expressed joy, I struggled with how to possibly write about this subject when I'm still recounting the plight of thousands of people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by the devastating hurricane Melissa. Will they ever recover from this traumatic experience? Will they ever build back? However, as I continued to reflect on the assigned lessons I came to see that the joy in the readings must be embraced by us Christians, and so, Joy is the topic of this Reflection for the third Sunday of Advent.

"Joy! Such a complex emotion," says Daniel Boscaljoh (PhD) who writes on matters of wellness. “It can be a blend of pleasure, gratitude, and even affirmation of life's goodness, despite pain." But what exactly is joy? Unlike happiness, which often comes and goes based on external factors like financial stability and good physical health, joy is rooted in something deeper. It is the assurance that God is with us - Emmanuel. It is the recognition that even when life is hard, the light of Christ has come and will come again bringing restoration, redemption and peace.

The Old Testament reading (Isa. 35:1-10) paints a picture of a desert blooming and creation rejoicing, a metaphor for the spiritual barren-ness overcome by God's presence, aligning with Advent's focus on preparing for the coming Light in darkness.

In verse 10 of the passage, the prophet offers a powerful promise of ultimate everlasting joy and restoration through the coming Messiah, Jesus, signifying that God's redemptive work transforms desolate situations into places of singing and gladness; where sorrow is banished mirroring the hope of Christ's arrival conquering darkness, and bringing healing and true freedom to a waiting world. This verse tells us that Advent isn’t just about waiting, it’s about anticipating the arrival of the One who makes the desert bloom, who heals the broken, and who brings an unending gladness that conquers all sorrow, establishing God’s joyful Kingdom here and now, through Jesus.

In the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), the alternate reading for the psalm, Mary's heart sings out:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Saviour…

and holy is your name.

So much joy! So much rejoicing! Mary's joy springs from knowing she is part of something far greater than herself. She, a young woman of humble means, is included in God's plan to bring salvation to the world. Her song reflects the transformative joy that comes from being seen,

known, and used by God. How have you felt that God knows you, sees you, and has included you in his work in the world? What does that look like, feel like, taste like? How can you take those sensations and let them follow and guide you today?

The joy in the gospel passage {Matt.11:2-11} is found in the fulfilment of prophecy through Jesus’ compassionate action which provides a profound and resilient gladness that endures even in times of doubt and suffering.

This Advent season, let us reflect on the joy we have in Christ.  Perhaps it means taking a moment each day to give thanks, even for small blessings. Maybe it's spending time in prayer, asking God to renew our joy when it feels distant. Or it could be sharing joy with others – through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or by simply being present with someone who needs to know they are not alone.

As we continue towards Christmas, may we embrace the joy that comes from knowing Jesus.  And may we carry that joy into a world that so desperately needs it.

Elizabeth +