JOY! It’s the theme for this Third Sunday’s Advent Liturgy. As a matter of fact, the third Advent candle symbolizes hope. And so, this Sunday’s Scriptures speak loudly about it.
In the First Reading (Zephaniah 3:14-18a), we find that Zephaniah invites Zion to rejoice even though most of his prophecies are about predictions of judgment. And so he tells them:
“Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing Joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem.”
Not only does Zephaniah tell his people to rejoice, but he also urges them to take courage as in his words:
“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….”
Prophet Zephaniah’s words fit into the context of today’s world because of the continuous threat of the coronavirus to our physical, mental, and spiritual health and our economy. Therefore, we all need to hear uplifting and encouraging words.
Paul does a similar task in this Sunday’s Second Reading (Phil 4:4-7). He insists to the Philippians:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make requests known to God.”
It’s like saying to us, “Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop trusting God. Keep asking him for all your needs. Keep hoping that this crisis will pass. In connection with the theme of Advent, keep hoping for the Lord is near!”
You might say that it’s not easy to say these words in a society where there seems to be general anxiety. It’s because of fear of losing control over one’s health, profession, and loved ones. Therefore, we need help mourning our limitations and life’s impermanence and allowing God to take charge during this time. We need to surrender to his providential care.
There are times when we have to say, “God, it’s all under your control now. I’ve done everything possible to take care of my life and family and fulfill my duties. I surrender everything to you, including this pandemic fear. I’m tired of controlling everything, which gives me more anxiety. I’d rather trust your benevolence.”
Amazingly, our daily exercise of this act of surrendering to God would give us joy and peace. And this exercise allows us to continue to love, care, dream, plan, explore, wonder, smile, giggle, and most of all, be grateful to God despite any adversity.
So, let’s make peace with our losses and know that we are not alone. For God is our partner, so we choose to love, not fear. We make a space to let God do his part. It’s then that we experience interior joy.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
