Pastoral Message – December 15, 2024
Isn’t it amazing how fast the time goes? Christmas is just around the corner, and as we begin the third week of Advent we light the rose-colored candle of the Advent Wreath. The Third Sunday of Advent is sometimes called “Gaudete Sunday,” using the Latin word that begins our second reading this Sunday: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
Can we really rejoice in the Lord always? There are different kinds of joy, and often joy seems to be transitory. But I think there’s an important truth in one of the prayers that is used in the liturgy during Advent. It says, “Even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures.” To love the things of heaven is to find joy that endures. And this means rejoicing in the Lord always.
For your interest and meditation, here are some good quotes I have found about spiritual joy:
- “Joy is the net of love by which you can catch souls.” (St. Mother Teresa)
- “The world promises us pleasure, but it is only in Jesus that we find joy.” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
- “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” (St. John Paul II)
- “Let us never lose the joy of being saints.” (Pope Francis)
- “The truest way to advance in holy virtues is to persevere in a holy cheerfulness.” (St. Philip Neri)
- “Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.” (St. Padre Pio)
- “Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.” (St. Teresa of Avila)
- “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” (Henri Nouwen)
May we rejoice in the Lord always, and may we foster such enduring joy in others.
Blessings,
Fr. Philip
