THE WORD IN ADVENT
December 21, 2021: Fourth Tuesday in Advent
Song of Songs 2: 8-14; Luke 1: 39-45
We are given to reflect on three personalities today: the first and second from the readings, especially the Gospel - Mary and Elizabeth, both of whom were so eagerly and joyfully waiting for the coming of the Lord. To their list is added David, for whom it was an irreplaceable joy to be united with the Lord.
In and through these personalities the key element of reflection offered us is the Joy of faith and the faith of true joy!
Faith which is a personal relationship with God, inspires great joy obviously, when the Lord comes to visit us. It is the joy of being united with the one whom we love; it is the joy of counting the blessings that God has showered on us; the joy of standing on the promises of God. The joy doubles when we know the Lord not only comes to us, but comes for us and comes to be with us. This is the joy of Faith.
Joy, in its purest form, has its source in the Divine; every other pleasure or good-feeling, is but a faint copy of this true and profound joy. When it comes from some other thing, or event, or experience that is transitory, the joy itself becomes transient! Whereas, the Lord promises, the joy that I give, cannot be taken away by anyone or anything! And it is this true joy, that binds a soul to God; the longing for that true and unsurpassing joy, the eternal joy that draws the soul to the Divine! This is the faith that is born out of true joy!
Finally, it is faith and joy that makes us people of God... and we shall dance before the Lord, regardless of the world that stands around cynically!