Monday, December 14, 2009

Rejoice

Women of Faith:

I have always loved “pink Sunday” in the timeframe of the Advent wreath—When I read Sunday’s readings, it didn’t take me long to figure out why—what joyful readings of
Hope for the Christmas season! “Rejoice, Rejoice, again I say Rejoice.”

I have listened to several Christian radio and TV shows this week, all with messages which revolve around our expectations of love. “God is Truth; Love is Forgiveness; Happiness is in Giving; Love is Sacrifice; God is Love; Do Not Worry, be not afraid; and Trust in the Lord.”

As I reflected on these simple messages I wondered why we try to make our lives so complicated, when God’s message is so simple.

Zep 3:14-18a says: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; (1) the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. (2) On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! (3) The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, (4) he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.”

“Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. (5) The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (6) Phil 4:4-7 (Parentheses’ () and italics/bold added.)
The messages of “pink Sunday” summarize an uncomplicated life, a life without worry, a life without expectation and yet a time of great anticipation and rejoicing for the coming of Christ more fully into our lives:

1) The Lord has forgiven us—we must also forgive and ask forgiveness of those we love.

2) The Lord is in our midst—we have nothing to fear; we should not worry or be anxious, but should look forward to His coming with expectation and anticipation. We should rejoice!

3) Fear not, do not be discouraged—Rejoice!

4) Be renewed by Christ’s love, by His forgiveness, by His rejoicing.

5) Fear not—In Prayer, Ask God, Give Thanks

6) Then we will receive Peace—Peace that surpasses everything because we will be protected by Christ Jesus.

What do we seek? What are our Expectations, Anticipations of our God?

Happiness? Happiness is in Giving as Christ gave to us: In His Presence, not His Presents, in unselfishly giving to others. I often wonder if we, as parents, remember this ourselves when we teach it to our children who seem to so instinctively know it. What happens to us as adults that we want someone/everyone to give us something of themselves, yet we are not willing to give anything/ everything of ourselves, as Jesus gave to us on the cross. Or because we don’t receive anything in return, we want to quit giving.

Love? The cross shows us how we must Love, with the ultimate sacrifice. God did not have any expectations of us when He asked Jesus to die for us. He gave us His son, and Jesus died for us. Do we die for each other, would we give our lives for those we love, for our neighbor, even for our enemies, as Jesus did for us?

Forgiveness? The ultimate forgiveness was given to us by Jesus on the cross, and is given to us in the sacrament of reconciliation. Do we accept the graces that God makes available to us, by coming to him with our failures and ask for forgiveness?
Do we forgive those who love us when they tell us they are sorry for the hurt they have caused? Once again, God did not “expect” anything in return for His forgiveness. Do we forgive, without expectations?

Peace? God promises freedom from worry and fear when we turn to him and ask him for his protection. Can we expect “peace in the world” if we cannot give our love and forgiveness unconditionally to those in our own families regardless of what we are given in return?

REJOICE! REJOICE! Christ is in our midst. Let us seek His Simple Truth with Joy in Expectation and Anticipation of His Birth this Christmas.

Rejoice as you ready Your Christmas Expectations!
Charlotte

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