The theme for this Third Sunday in Advent is joy, an emotion we often do not feel. Joy is sometimes confused with happiness, although they are related. Happiness is usually related to a particular situation whereas joy, a deeper emotion, relates more to a state of mind, not necessarily based on particular events around us.
Mary’s song in Luke’s Gospel, although similar to Hannah’s song when she learns she is pregnant with Samuel, is much more than the writer’s paraphrase. It is a song of the fulfilment of God’s promise to invert the standard social order.
In our world today it seems like fantasy, of course, for crass power and wealth still rule. Where is we see that he hungry are filled with good things to eat and the rich sent empty away? It is not easy to see that anywhere around us except where we, as people of faith, engage with power and wealth to create the kingdom of justice promised by God. For the entry of Jesus into our world gives us the strength to do so.
Prayer for the Day
Often despairing, we look at the early morning sky,
And we wonder, O God, how is Mary’s song fulfilled;
The words are nice, comforting, but seem empty,
For we know, O Lord, the realities that exist in our world.
Open to us the promises of the Child’s coming,
And grant to us a new reality of peace and justice.
In the name of the One who is your promise,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.
Mark Twin, American writer (1835-1910)
Joy is strength
Mother Teresa, saint (1910-1997)
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
For God has looked with favor on the lowliness of God’s servant;
Surely, from now on, all generations will call me blessed,
For the Mighty One has done great things for me.
God’s mercy is for those who fear the Lord, from generation to generation.
God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
And has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich empty away.
Luke 1: 46-53