Restoring Joy
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126:1-6
Second Reading: I Thessalonians 5:16-24
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28
*Music for Richard Bruxvoort Colligan’s song “Body of God” can be found on the Convergence Music Project website.
The winds of northern New York whistled through the rural landscape as I ventured out into the dreary day. Grey clouds hung low, casting a chilling pall over the frigid surroundings. Yet, regardless of the weather, I pressed on in my car, navigating winter roads that snaked through the countryside.
As I approached a sharp turn, I felt the car lose its grip on the slippery surface. Panic surged through me as the vehicle slid uncontrollably, and before I could react, I found myself thrown into an empty field blanketed in thick snow. The car skidded to a halt, buried in the powdery mound, the wheels futilely spinning against the icy ground.
Frantically, I tried reversing and maneuvering the car out, but each attempt only embedded the vehicle deeper into the snow. Frustration mingled with a growing sense of despair of what I was going to do next, this was the last thing I needed right now.
With no other option left, I reached for my phone and dialed for a tow truck. The wait felt interminable as I sat there, feeling the biting cold seeping through the car's interior. But let me tell you, when I saw the whirling amber lights of the tow truck cut through the grey air, nothing felt better.
It's humbling (in more ways than one) to discover that you do not possess the ability to do everything yourself. This is why we need to remember that amid everything going on in the world (and our lives), feeling like an out-of-control car, there is something for us to hold onto and find joy, life-giving joy that restores our tired, fearful, and uncertain souls.
No person can go through life alone. We need a source of joy that can sustain us even when the going gets tough so we do not succumb to life's trials. It's not that these hurdles of life should be avoided at all costs (sometimes they build us up), but we would be foolish to think we can do it all by ourselves. It's why we gather as faith communities to find, discover, and cling to the joy of God's hope, peace, and love, knowing that when we root ourselves in faith, we are given the sustenance we need to go on.
You aren't alone if you struggle to find or restore joy this Advent season. There's a weightiness to the world right now (and for some even longer) that makes it challenging to find the joy in Advent. But I encourage you to look around and find something that you can hold fast to (as Paul encourages the church in Thessalonica to have a steadfast faith) as a way to support and bring even an ounce of joy that restores your soul.
We might be unable to fix all the world's problems or what is happening in our lives this Advent season. Still, I believe that we can work towards altering the way we approach trials and struggles so that in our growing faith, we might see joy comes in the morning. That joy (or the restoration of joy) is a process that is best done in community and relationship rather than alone. Just look at Christ, who gathered people from all walks of life to live for a shared joy that comes from the heart of God.
Questions for Reflection:
Reflect on a moment in your life when you felt overwhelmed or helpless, akin to the experience of being stranded in the snow-covered field. How did you respond to that situation? How might recognizing our limitations and seeking external help align with the search for joy and resilience in challenging times?
The author emphasizes the importance of finding sources of joy and sustenance, especially in times of trial. What are some practices or beliefs in your life that serve as anchors during difficult moments, offering solace and restoring your spirit? How can these sources of joy be shared or extended to others in need?
The passage emphasizes the value of communal support and the acknowledgment of our interdependence. In what ways can faith communities or supportive networks play a role in fostering resilience, hope, and joy during challenging seasons like Advent? How can we encourage one another to seek and sustain joy amidst life's uncertainties?