Readings speak of God’s wish to bring joy/consolation to a people whose spirit is
crushed! Who wouldn’t need good news of joy, peace or be lifted up from the pit?
During Advent we meditate on the mystery of Son of God coming to his creation in real
time; God’s eternal love now penetrates humanity; he is the redeeming one amidst us,
the reason for our joy! The responsorial psalm is Mary’s song; her yes to God to
become the mother of Son of God erupts into her song: ‘my soul rejoices in God my
savior’! John the Baptist is again on the stage introducing Jesus the Messiah. John
was enlightened and called by God to testify to the light, Christ among us and direct
human hearts to Christ the light. Jesus is Word made flesh and John the Baptist is
God’s messenger, God’s voice and that makes his voice or word a testimony to Jesus.
Like Mary, an yes to God’s word is to become the womb of God and your voice/word/
life then becomes as for John the Baptist, a testimony to Jesus!
How shall we experience light and bring light of Christ to those who are in darkness
and joy to who are in despair? As Christians, we are clothed with the Spirit and called
to testify to Christ the light by our voice and actions. If Christ is our wellbeing and joy,
our witness to Christ is freedom to the oppressed, healing and comfort to the afflicted.
St. Francis of Assisi: One day, St. Francis asked one of his brothers to come with him
to the town of Assisi to preach the Gospel. The brother was very happy about it.
Francis and the Brother left their Convent and walked to Assisi. Francis walked through
all the streets of Assisi, talking friendly with them, cheering the sad people, visiting the
sick, playing with the children, visiting the jail and giving words of encouragement for
everyone. When evening came, the Brother started wondering when they would start
preaching the Gospel to the people. At sunset, Francis told the brother, “Now my
Brother, let us go home and thank God for the day and the good He allowed us do to
the people”. In disappointment, Brother said: “But, Brother Francis, when shall we
begin preaching? We haven’t started yet!” Francis replied, “Dear Brother, if what we did
today was not preaching the Gospel, tell me what was it? Example, brother, example is
what we have to give to the people, not just plain beautiful words!” This is the program
of Christ that Isaiah narrates in the first reading, the program for followers of Christ.
Paul says that a life of prayer and thanksgiving is the secret of joy/peace. Praying heart
encounters the One among us, Christ the light, who reveals what hides in the dark or
what takes away our joy/peace! This joy is not absence of crosses, fears or anxiety.
Etty Hillesum, who was killed in Auschwitz wrote in her diary: ‘there is really a deep well
inside me and in it dwells God; sometimes I am there too and that is all we can manage
these days and all that really matters [as she awaits her on death and surrounded by
dark forces in the concentration camp]. That little peace of you God in me is my
safeguard’. In the midst of tribulations, Jesus reminds us to go to our inner room [deep
well inside] and pray to the Father, the source of peace.
Consider what saddens the Spirit in us: grudge, resentments, addictions, attachments
to things we own and forget that your self [being] is the most precious one! Paul says
let nothing quench the Spirit in us, that is to wander aimlessly in the dark! Joy comes
when we discover our limitations and invite God the unlimited to fill us with his light.
Lord, let us be your voice, a lamp burning brightly; may our actions, attitudes never
extinguish the light in us. Let our behavior be guided by the Spirit and not be conceited
or provocative or envious of one another. Let us learn to rejoice and let our actions
bring joy to others, because Christ is in us, among us!