Gaudete Sunday the Challenge of Rejoicing Always!

This Sunday is a joyful reminder that our salvation is near.

This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sunday which is so named because “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for today's Mass which is taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians (4:4, 5):

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.”
  ·        Let your patience be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand;

 ·        have no anxiety about anything,

 ·        In all things, in prayer and in confidence, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.

 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

— (Philippians 4:4–6)

 

We must again remember Paul's circumstances--he was imprisoned and facing possible execution. Paul suffered much more than imprisonment, as he tells us: "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked . . . I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked" 2 Corinthians 11

 Paul was "sorrowful, yet ALWAYS rejoicing"--in the Lord!--"poor, having nothing, yet possessing everything"--life in Christ!

2 Corinthians 6:10).

 Even St. Paul, like you and me, had difficulty living the spiritual life Jesus called him to:

“We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh . . . I do not understand my own actions. I find it to be a reality that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand!

St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans (7:14,21)

The great challenge you and I face is:

HOW DO I LIVE BY PAUL’S TEACHING EVERY DAY

AND EVERY MOMENT OF MY LIFE?

 Or maybe the first questions should be is:

·        Why should I want to live a life of “always rejoicing?”

·        Why is “always Rejoicing in the Lord” that important to me – or even necessary?

·        What’s really at stake?

From the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells us:

 “We must endure many trials before entering God’s kingdom.” (Acts 14:21)

If that’s the case – and many of us already know it is because of our own personal experiences, then we will certainly understand the importance of rejoicing in God’s favor.

“Today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD is your strength!”  Nehemiah, 8:10

 Jesus invites us to:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

 

 Also in the Bible we will find this proclamation of God’s caring support:

“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13:6

 

When we return to our homes, our schools – our work place – and our families . . .

How will we, how can we, Rejoice in the Lord always?

How will we, how can we, go about our life having no anxiety or fear about anything?

How do we overcome the realities of the stress and pressures present in the classroom, or the office, or the factory, in the community, and even in our own families?

How will we handle the everyday occurrences of peer pressure, bullying, and unjust demands made on us by others, financial shortages, the lack of good health, or even the lack of well paying employment?

How do we “always” rejoice when faced with the ugliness of abuse or addictions?

HOW DO WE DO IT? ST. PAUL WRITES:

I press on because Christ Jesus has made me his own; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly of God.  Philippians 3:12b-14

 

HERE IS THE KEY!

Last Saturday, just before the start of the MSU and Ohio State football game, there was a televised interview with some of the MSU players.  One of the players said how important is the discipline to always do the “running and lifting weights and other things that are not necessarily fun to do” – in order to prepare for each game!

The preparing for and winning a football game – and eventually fulfilling the dream of going to the Rose Bowl – is no different than winning at “rejoicing in the Lord at all times”  - both demand patience, persistence, discipline and sacrifice.

What are the spiritual exercises that will prepare us for the coming of Christ in our lives, and take us to gaining the goal of being eternally present with God in his kingdom?

I have published on this blog 40 spiritual exercises that will help and strengthen our ability to ““Rejoice in the Lord always!”

 Here are 3 of them”

 The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the GRACE that Jesus Christ will bring you. 1Peter 1:13

FOR GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Mark 10:27b

 “To believe in Christ is to believe in a power of love that is more enduring than anything that is in the world. … We are in touch with a God who is greater than and more powerful than anything that is in the world.”

Father Robert Barron, commenting on the horrific events of Newtown, Connecticut.

 Let us pray:

 We glorify you Lord because you have rescued us from our fears and worries; you will not let the enemy of stress, suffering , and failure overpower us.

 

Be ever with us Lord, as we journey forward, fill our hearts with joy and keep our lives free from the evil that within us and that surrounds us until we see you in your kingdom.  Amen.