Joy Rooted in Christ; Borne of Gratitude

HOMILY: Third Sunday of Advent

Luke 3:10-18

12 December 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

According to a Twitter Holiday Research, Filipinos still managed to have holiday cheer in December last year despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.  The study found a staggering 2.3 million holiday-related conversations in the Philippines during that period in 2020. We even managed to celebrate Christmas creatively through our virtual parties. This year, with the alert levels downgraded and Covid cases at their lowest, we had the promise of an even merrier Christmas, until news of the Omicron variant came to spoil all the fun we were expecting. Nevertheless, there is still reason to be thankful because we are in a better state now (of course still with its own challenges) than we were last year.

Today is Gaudete Sunday (from the Latin “rejoice”). Today’s readings overflow with the call to: “Gaudete” – Rejoice! And then rejoice again! In fact, it calls us to rejoice always.  Hindi ba kapanipaniwala kaya dapat inuulit? When we want to attest to the veracity of something, we tend to say in the vernacular… “Oo! Talagang, talaga!”  The double introductory exhortation of Paul to rejoice is an emphatic attempt to convince the listener.  Perhaps Paul understood that it is not easy to be joyful because of life’s many struggles. Ngayong Pasko, masaya ang empleyadong makakatanggap ng Christmas bonus. Pero ang saya mabilis nawawala pag naipambayad na ang bonus sa dami ng gastusin sa kapaskuhan. Parang dumaan lang sa palad ang pera. I ask you now, “Is it really possible to remain joyful always? 

The readings tell us why and how we should remain joyful at all times. First of all, JOY is not the same as HAPPINESS. Sometimes we tend to use these words interchangeably but there is a difference! It is important to note that what Paul advocates is not merely the happiness derived from the enjoyment of the fleeting comforts of life. Rather, it is something deeper than that. It is a special kind of joy, which according to Paul is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It is rooted in the faith of the nearness of God to us. In the passage from Zephaniah, Zion is told to shout for joy because God has saved her from all her enemies. God is in the midst of His people. St. Paul tells the Philippians that the Lord is near and that God will bring about peace for His people. In the Gospel, John the Baptist tells the people that the One coming after him “will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16) The “anointed one” will bring about peace and justice for the people. He is coming and this is reason enough for joy. 

Secondly, JOY is borne of GRATITUDE. In the KDrama, Hometown Cha Cha Cha, I like the character of Mrs. Kim Gam Ri. (To those who have yet to see it, forgive me for this spoiler.) In the episode before she died, her other elderly friends had a sleepover at her house and they asked her if she was happy. She responded by saying that she likes that she is old. Looking back, she said that she had many tasty dishes, seen great scenery, and met wonderful people. “Right now, I am chatting with you both.  What more can I ask for? My life is so much fun. Today, the evening glow looked so beautiful. The squid I had for dinner was scrumptious, too. Look around yourself closely, and you’ll realize that you’re surrounded by many precious things.”  How about you in the pews and those who are watching the livestream?  What are you thankful for?  Someone tweeted, “Getting a haircut at my usual place. And hindi na sila naka-PPE and shileds. Mukha na daw silang tao… Simple joys pero nakakagaan lang.” Personally, I am thankful that more people are returning to churches. Essentially, we are joyful because we experience how Christ is being enfleshed in our midst. His Presence is already near us and something we celebrate every day — the sheer goodness of many people around us, the utter joy of beholding nature’s beauty, the edifying moments of human interactions — all these point to the nearness of Christ in the flesh among us. 

Lastly, JOY is not dependent on LIFE’s CIRCUMSTANCES.  While we may not always feel like “shouting for joy”, there is always reason to be joyful about knowing that God is in our midst. It is that certitude, that faith in God’s love for us that fuels joy. The condition of our life should not determine whether we should rejoice or not.  As one Bible commentator points out: “Every experience, if we can only realise it, is touched by God and has its meaning.” We only have to discover and accept its meaning and we shall experience inner joy, the kind which no one can take away from us. The cause of our joy is Christ and Christ alone who is Emmanuel. There is this boy featured in KMJS last Sunday. His name is Jumong. Sabi niya na-bully na daw siya maraming beses dahil sa kanyang kapansanan sa mata. Sa kabila ng masakit na karanasan, natutunan na daw nyang balewalain ang pambubully sa kanya. Panatag nyang ipinagmamalaki na may puwang siya sa mundo at kaya pa niyang magbago. Jumong proves that being happy is really a matter of choice and a perspective in life. One netizen commented: “Jumong’s story attests that there’s no such thing as disabled – only differently-abled individuals. We should look at the very essence of their personality not at the very core of their condition. Because the real disability is the inability to see each of us as special.” 

Henri Nouwen, priest, theologian, and prolific writer said: “Joy does not come from positive predictions about the state of the world. It does not depend on the ups and downs of the circumstances of our lives. Joy is based on the spiritual knowledge that, while the world in which we live is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world. Jesus says it loudly and clearly: “In the world you will have troubles, but rejoice, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 

I asked you earlier if it is possible to be joyful always…. It seems the answer is “YES”! Joy is not fleeting and shallow but rather a deep-seated sense of gratitude in what God has done, what He is doing and what He is about to do. It is a state of heart that cannot be changed or perturbed by any trouble or gloominess around us. Let us pray that in this season, we may possess that Christian joy deep in our hearts.