It all started in the manger, where the King was born
His Love Gives Us Joy: Emojis and Rejoicing During Advent
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A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
3rd Sunday of Advent Year B Gospel JN 1:6-8, 19-28 |
His Love Gives Us Joy
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The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, or Sunday of rejoicing. “Gaudete” is Latin for “rejoice.” As it is written in Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Rejoice. It is the reason why the color candle we light is rose or pink. We light the third candle as a symbol of joy, for today we are invited as believers to rejoice and prepare our hearts at this midpoint of Advent. As Christ prepares to come to Earth, we look forward to it as the source of lasting and true joy. As foretold by Prophet Isaiah in the First Reading, the coming of Christ as the Anointed One would bring glad tidings to the poor and healing, to set the captives free, and to declare a year of favor from the Lord. These promises would cause us to rejoice, and like the former would acclaim the word: in my God is the joy of my soul. In the Letter to Thessalonians, Paul would admonish his listeners to pray unceasingly, in all circumstances give thanks, to follow the Spirit’s leading, and to refrain from every kind of evil. Does it not bring us pure joy if, in our prayers, we acquire the closeness with God Who listens and answers our groaning? |
The joy to be consoled and comforted in our prayers gives us assurances of the love and hope that we cannot find in the world, and the prayer of a humble and grateful heart is the most joyful in times of adversity and great trials.
The Gospel discloses once again the important role and mission of John the Baptist, who testifies to the light (Jesus Himself the Light of the world).
As Jesus’ ambassador, the priests and Levites were greatly troubled and adamant as they asked John the Baptist who he was and what his relationship with the messiah was. He was identified as the Prophet, but he claimed only as the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. And he baptized only with water, while the One who came after him would baptize in the Spirit. John’s humility was pronounced and sincere. We could learn from John whose life was his commitment and dedication to introducing Jesus and live as Jesus’ disciple. He exhibited the joy of baptizing the people, for he himself humbly received the mission of love, joy, and justice.
When we have Jesus in our lives, we cannot hide the joy even in the midst of a pandemic. Our eyes have an inner glow even when we wear a mask. Others see beyond our eyes, even in times of stress and tears due to worries, tiredness, and loneliness.
As I look to you today, I can still see the smile behind your mask, more so your eyes that long for comfort, beauty, healing, and joy. They speak volumes.
Indeed, if joy is defined as the satisfaction experienced whenever we come into possession of something good – and hopefully we have already found the summum bonum (Latin for ‘the highest and supreme Good Himself, God’) – we will continue rejoicing throughout all circumstances of life.
Joy is mentioned more than 150 times in the Bible. Even so, all the good in this world, apart from God our ultimate Good, are temporary and fleeting. Money, success, health, pleasure, and comfort - even friendship and romantic love – all of these things are temporary. Happiness in this world will never last, especially if it is only personal satisfaction. But if happiness is shared with the purpose to spread that happiness to others, without counting the cost, in the spirit of love and justice, it becomes pure joy.
But our hearts are constantly thirsty for a joy that we cannot attain, because that's why we were created. Our deepest desire is to be known and loved completely, unconditionally and everlastingly, by another person.
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Tears of Joy
Emojis (the Japanese word meaning ‘picture’ and ‘character’) have captured our attention and become effective ways to express emotions such as happiness, sadness and excitement in non-verbal, digital forms.
Originating on Japanese mobile phones in 1997, Emojis became increasingly popular worldwide in the 2010s after being added to several mobile operating systems. They are now considered to be a large part of popular culture in the West. But from 2015 until today, one Emoji has stood out as the most widely used and most popular of all Emojis. Can you guess what it is?
It’s the Tears of Joy emoji! In fact, Oxford Dictionaries named the Tears of Joy Emoji the ‘Word of the Year’! (Thanks to Wikipedia for this information.)
This Tears of Joy Emoji has a universal appeal. Everyone desires to be happy, to be accepted, to be loved. The ancient philosopher Socrates said, “Happiness is living a life that is right and good and its relationship with virtue and wisdom.”
He knew that fame, power, or wealth can make one think they are happy. However, the real concept of happiness is much more than that. He did not mention what it was, but we define it as the joy that only God can give.
Those who cry due to a loss, a heartache, a painful experience or an unfortunate circumstance can run to God, who is the source of joy, the real happiness that we long to live with. (Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted).
To us, Tears of Joy illustrates happiness beyond all telling. It is indescribable, enigmatic and above our comprehension. We shed tears because of deep meaning and substance that move us to cry.
Turning to God
Finally, we can turn to Jesus in prayer if we feel the troubles of life overwhelming us. He will fill our hearts with comfort and joy in times of discouragement and sadness. His love alone can wipe our tears, for He understands what we are going through. We can understand better the promise of the gift of joy if we reflect on His passion, death, and resurrection. Alleluia is always our song.
In the ten days we have before Christmas, let's commit ourselves to doing two things. First, let us take enough time for personal prayer so that we stir up our own Christian joy; the devil wants to keep us so busy that we can't do that - let's outsmart him.
And second, let's reach out to someone who needs to discover the only source of lasting joy: a deep, personal friendship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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About the Author
I am Fr. Jude M. Serfino, a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Bacolod, Philippines, currently endorsed by Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. assigned as the contract priest at St. Michael's Catholic Community, Camp Pendleton, California.
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