There is a palpable, growing sense in Advent that it is a season of reflection, anticipating the arrival of Jesus. We are encouraged to remember what God has done for His people and for ourselves, and what God has promised to do. It is a time of preparation to receive the gift of the King, the Moshiach, the chosen one who offers hope, peace, love and joy to everyone who accepts Him and His promises. This is the Catholic Christian tradition solidly built on Judaism.
Mass media also says it is a time of preparation, as surprising as that may be. The great American business enterprise won’t let us forget it (how else are you going to attain hope, peace, love and joy unless you buy something?). Politicians, when they’re not trying to make us mad at each other (which is
of course most of the time), exhort us to embrace it as much as they reject it. The educational complex points to it (albeit 180 degrees off course).
Hope, peace, love, joy.
This is presented to us as something theoretically laudable except the context is usually wrong. The proposition that we should actually live this way is foolishness to far too many. With the direction and tempo of much of the world at present, it would be forgivable to join Mr. Scrooge in a resounding, “Bah, humbug!” Indeed.
Baruch was the right-hand man of the prophet Jeremiah hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, at a time when things were not going well for Judah (the southern tribes of the Jews). In fact, the Kingdom of Babylon eventually took Judah captive, and you know that’s never fun. But listen to the words Baruch provides to his people and to us.
Shake off ‘your mourning and misery’ and choose to ‘put on the splendor of glory from God forever’! ‘Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God… that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.’ In other words, Baruch is exhorting Judah saying, ‘Look ahead! God is clearing the way! There is good reason to be joyful! Move forward knowing you will have God’s protection. Go forth now! Go with joy!
Hold on. Go with joy? Uh yep.
I note here that the word joy is provided to us 7 times in the readings today. Rejoicing shows up 4 times. Quick aside- if something in the Bible is repeated 3 times, it means this is of the utmost importance. I point you to the phrase, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy Lord’ which you may have heard. This means there is no one and no thing more Holy than our God. Similarly, the Church has given us a strong tip in the writings
of the day, that being decide for joy. See everything in view of joy.
In Advent there is a strong sense of waiting in anticipation of something Someone else is doing for us. And this is rightfully so. We await the gift of the Moshiach. But we have something to do as well. We are encouraged to wait and yet advance, watchfully with hope, peace, love and especially joy. Let’s do that.
I wish you and all those you love, these blessings this Advent.
Kad Chada (the expression for joy in Aramaic, the language of Jesus, Mary and Joseph).