Joy to the (troubled) World

Today is Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday in Advent when the Church boldly proclaims Joy to the World, and lights the rose colored candle on the Advent wreath.  In the wake of the horrific events of the past week, the message of joy may seem out of step with current events.   The world appears to have gone mad with so many mass murders this past year, each one more atrocious than the last, culminating in the senseless killing of 20 little children last week.   Isn’t it time we come to our senses and realize that this violence is a symptom of the culture of death which is tightening its grip on our world?   Can there be any doubt that we’ve become desensitized to murder and mayhem when it’s ubiquitous on television, video games, movies, and the media?  How many people sport skull and cross bones tattoos, shirts, hats, and coats, without a thought to the fact that they represent death?

Our country is in shock and rightfully horrified by the atrocity at Sandy Hook school, but nobody takes notice of the 3000 or so babies murdered every day in abortion clinics.  Anyone who raises an objection to abortion is labeled an intolerant bigot.  In the meanwhile, we pass laws legalizing marijuana and assisted suicide without a thought to the direction we’re headed.   How can anyone be expected to feel joyful at times like this?   As the result of deteriorating morality and the suspension of inhibitions, we’re more apt to feel remorse or even despair at the many problems our nation faces, fueled by the pursuit of personal freedom and happiness.  It seems the world’s idea of happiness is more about self-gratification than anything else.  But does that really bring happiness?   Does the freedom to act as we please really make us happy?  

The word Gaudete is Latin for “Rejoice,” a word seldom heard these days.  But today’s scripture makes it clear that no matter what’s going on in the world, we do indeed have cause to rejoice.

“Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
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.”  (Zephaniah 3:15-17)

“Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:4-7)

Despite all the angst in the world, all the disappointment in the sinfulness of the world, and the grip of evil, we can still find peace that leads to joy.  This peace is not the kind brokered by politicians, or enforced with weapons and threats, but the peace of heart and mind that can only be attained by faith.   Without faith we are lost souls in a world gone mad.  Without faith, we have no hope and easily fall victim to depression and despair.  Without faith, we lack the ability to sustain the onslaught of bad news and the consequences of our collective sinfulness.  But with faith, we discover that, despite our sinfulness, we are forgiven.  Regardless of our worthiness, we can be redeemed.  Despite the burdens of the world, and the foolishness of our government leaders, there is hope for peace of heart and mind because God is in our midst.   In his letter to the Philippians quoted above, Paul gives us the recipe to find this peace:  “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

This is the peace of soul that enables us to discover joy in a broken world, precisely because Christ is in our midst.  This is the locus of hope in our lives, without which we have no hope of joy, and without joy, how can we possibly love one another?  The three “theological virtues,” faith, hope and love, are related to one another in mysterious ways.  Faith leads to hope, and hope enables us to love.  Who can love when they despair?  Who can find peace when they are so anxious about the troubles of the world that it clouds their thinking?  Faith is a great gift, and the source of peace and joy.  God has come into the world to give us these gifts of faith, hope and love.  This is the reason be joyful, and now is the time of the year we are reminded of these precious gifts from God, who entered our world precisely to give us these gifts that “surpass understanding.”  Joy to the world !