Reflection
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks.
1Thess 5:16
At this midpoint in Advent, we pause to rejoice. We read the words of Isaiah and still believe that God can work in our times bringing justice and peace to us. Jesus courageously preached this vision in his world. We hold fast to the remarkable promise of his words. In the midst of the problems of our own times, we hold onto the Advent hope that we might experience the grace of joy breaking through the darkness and into our world.
Prayer
Let us rejoice in the hope of what is possible.
Action
Reflect on the Biblical reasons for rejoicing: bringing glad tiding to the poor, healing the broken hearted, proclaiming liberty to captives, releasing prisoners. How do you apply it to our time?
Suggested Reading
I rejoice heartily in the Lord,
in my God is the joy of my soul.
Isaiah 61:12
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
1Thess 5:16
He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1
Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of life born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved.
Pope Francis
We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. They who have faith know this truly; let them rejoice.
Pope Paul VI
The more in harmony with yourself you are, the more joyful you are and the more faithful you are. Faith is not to disconnect you from reality – it connects you to reality.
Paulo Coelho
The joyful heart sees and reads the world with a sense of freedom and graciousness.
John O’Donohue
Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God.
Robert Schuller
True joy results when we become aware of our connectedness to everything.
Paul Pearsall
We need Joy as we need air.
We need Love as we need water.
We need each other as we need the earth we share.
Maya Angelou
Always remember, Joy is not incidental to spiritual quest.
It is vital.
Rebbe Nachman
Joy is the highest expression of Love. In it is found the principle connection to Life and to the divine essence that is the creator.
Galactic Federation