“In my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation.”
– Isaiah 61:10
Reflection:
The third week of Advent is a special week because we are to focus on joy! Our hearts are meant to be light and enflamed with excitement for the coming of the Lord.
A beautiful example of joy is the Canticle of Mary. This was proclaimed by Mary when Elizabeth recognized her Savior in her cousin’s womb.
Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant… He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy.” (Luke 1:46-55)
Here, Mary’s words are beaming with joy! Mary is thrilled that God is with her, and that He has remembered His promise to come and save His people. Her joy comes from her heart, the core of her being, because she is in love with God and rightly excited for the blessing of His coming and mercy.
We are to rejoice during this time not because of anything we have done, but because through God’s mercy, a Savior comes to us. We are meant to be joyful messengers, like Mary, proclaiming God’s mercy and goodness.
Like Mary, Mother Teresa recognized her need for God, and rejoiced through her actions that God sent Jesus to bring all of us back into right relation with him.
Are our hearts receptive of our need for a Savior and the great news that God has sent us one? Are we proclaiming this great news to the people around us?
Challenge: “Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame.”
– Psalm 34:6
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