Where to find True Joy

In our fast-paced world, bombarded by advertising and a culture obsessed with appearances, it’s easy to believe that joy lies in external things. We see children yearning for the latest toys, believing that joy lies just beyond the next unwrapped gift. Adults, especially those who have achieved financial success, often discover that material possessions like cars, planes and yachts, while offering a fleeting thrill, ultimately fail to deliver lasting joy. A calm and modest life will bring you more joy than the restless pursuit of success.

Amidst this widespread search for joy in all the wrong places, a beacon of  hope shines: Gaudete ( Joyful ) Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. This day invites us to step into a space of profound joy that transcends the fleeting pleasures of material possessions.

The gospel offers us a joy that is “full” ( John 15:11 ), a joy that overflows and fills every aspect of our lives. This joy isn’t found in toys or yachts; it’s rooted in a deeper wellspring: the knowledge of God’s love, forgiveness, and salvation. It’s a joy that transcends circumstances, a source of peace and contentment that allows us to find light even in the darkest of places and times.

This transcendent joy becomes most evident in times of great trial and tribulation. History bears witness to this. The early Christians, even as they faced martyrdom, approached their fate not with despair but with a serene joy. These believers, standing firm in their inner faith, found a deep, abiding joy in the face of overwhelming adversity. Their resilience bewildered their oppressors; the Romans, accustomed to fear and submission. They could not fathom the joy these martyrs exhibited as they walked towards their untimely deaths.

This remarkable aspect of joy – its ability to thrive even in the bleakest of circumstances – underscores its independence from worldly conditions. For these early Christians, and for anyone who has endured misfortune, joy is not a product of external factors but an inner source, nourished by faith and an unwavering trust in divine providence. It is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to transcend the temporal and find solace and happiness in something greater, something eternal.

This joy isn’t meant to be hoarded like a precious jewel. It’s meant to be shared, to grow and to become the source of love, hope, and encouragement that ripples outward, transforming communities and bringing joy to the world.

Gaudete Sunday invites us to rediscover the true source of joy: the very heart of God’s love which became flesh on Christmas Day. By connecting with Him and living in His love, we can access the fountainhead of joy that surpasses anything this world can offer. It’s a gift from God, a constant companion on our journey of faith. 

Let us move beyond the fleeting pleasures and empty promises of the world, and embrace the joy that Christ offers, This is the joy that fills our lives and overflows onto others, making this season a true celebration of the ever-present joy of the Lord Himself.

Joy to the World.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy