Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ;
Grace and peace to you. Yesterday
we celebrated the third Sunday in the Season of Advent. We lit the pink candle on the wreath and
heard the words, “Rejoice!” Traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, this names comes
to us from the Latin word that means “rejoice”. It is interesting, isn’t it, that in
the midst of this season that calls us to repentance, reconciliation and preparation the church also calls its members to
rejoice, to celebrate?
Gina
and I recently found ourselves in a large chain toy store. I have to admit that I am grateful she accompanied
me in there – the bright lights, toys and gadgets everywhere, all of the music, the electronic dolls and animals I set
into motion while walking by them – it was all a bit much for me. However, I was glad to be there.
Why? Gina and I were there to purchase a gift for a precious little girl whose parents were not
able to get anything for her this year.
Their story is not an uncommon one. The Mom’s hours were cut at work;
her husband, after being laid off, is looking for a job. There are bills to pay, groceries to purchase, and costs related
to keeping a family with kids alive and functioning. Christmas gifts are not on the agenda this year for
this family. When the Mom went to Gina’s parish and sought some help, there was an ever-so-brief
moment of Gaudete! “Rejoice!” when Gina was able to find folks to help with gifts
for this family and their children. Did it take away the hard situation or make everything better?
Not by any means. But here’s what it did do – it communicated some kindness, some warmth,
and some love. The tears of gratitude were a plain expression of this simple yet profound connection.
I share this
story with you not to point out that I was at a toy store with Gina buying a present, but rather to point out the power and
message of a very simple act. I share this with you because sometimes rejoicing happens in the midst of
what can be most difficult and painful in the human condition. We give thanks that someone is making it
through a very difficult treatment regimen for a terrible illness, we rejoice that some help is given when it feels like our
backs are against the wall, we make our song Gaudete! when someone reaches
out to us in a time of despair or grief and loss. We celebrate that others care, that they know and share
our story, that we are not alone, that God continues to love and bless us.
So we light a special candle dedicated to rejoicing and joy. We take time to go
to a crazed place like a toy store for a present for a little someone we’ll never meet.
We do the extra kind thing, we reach out, we listen, we practice patience, we express our love. And
we rejoice that in the midst of a world calling out for a Savior, Jesus Christ, in great humility, came to us.
He comes still. May we be prepared to receive him, and in the midst of the preparation, may we rejoice
at the obvious and not-so-obvious God moments in our lives. –Fr. Scott
