This Sunday's readings are about forgiveness, authentic good news, and how to embrace the peace of God. These are three good, no great, reasons to rejoice on the day formerly called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday.
As we are bombarded with internal and external pressures to get caught up even more in the "holiday" hustle and bustle of shopping and added activities in our homes, work places, churches, and communities, I think it is well worth it to carve out some time for a second reading of these texts.
In our first reading from the book of Zepaniah, we are told of the Lord's forgiveness, the "removing of judgment" from those whose sins led to the destruction of Jerusalem. In our time, we need to hear that we, too, are forgiven, for whatever reason(s) we have turned away from God either briefly or over a very long time. I think there is also a message about those we love who "have fallen away from the faith": they are still within the loving kindness of the Faithful One.
At this time of year, when families are foremost in our minds, this salve is often much needed. Jesus came to save us because we were (and aren't) in a position to do so ourselves. This is really Good News about ourselves and those we love. Our response should be true rejoicing, not the jumping up and down kind necessarily, but the quieter blessed assurance and peace that comes from within that can only be initiated by the Lord.
Both the second reading from the Letter to the Philippians and the Gospel selection from Luke tell us more ways to respond to this Good News. They tell us what to do and what not to do in everyday situations. These readings are a realistic road map for living the life of someone whose has been released from a very heavy judgment. While we may not literally be tax collectors or soldiers, we can definitely live by the principles John laid out in his words to them and to the crowd in general.
It is a little harder to "have no anxiety at all". How can we do that? !! I don't have the fail-safe answer, but again, our readings do: prayer and action! The formula in the second reading is: "In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." John himself modeled the action: "Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people."
Sometimes, the burdens of life weigh us down so that rejoicing or reaching out to others may be far from "where we are". The above formula says "in everything", however. I think that means bringing that "feeling down", that serious problem, even our helplessness directly to the Lord and perhaps to those with whom we share our spiritual lives.
Being in community with those who live with holy expectation, joy, and peace can help one remain rooted in the Good News when things around are gloomy. We can return the favor when we are in a better place spiritually ourselves.
Let us pray that we may fully
understand the positive impact of redemption in our spiritual lives
and respond with love and thankfulness. May we nourish the gifts of
joy and peace offered to us this season and throughout our lives.
May we increase our expectation of "the peace of God that surpasses
all understanding" and let our minds and hearts be guarded in Christ
Jesus as we encourage others to do the same.
(Comments to Lanie at lanieleblanc@mindspring.com.)