I have spoken with quite a few people lately who are struggling in one way or another. On the surface, they seem OK, but you don’t have to get too far into the conversation before you hear a bit more texture about what’s going on in their lives.
For some, it’s the holiday season and all it brings up.
Others are in the midst of some painful times of separation, distance or disconnection.
Some are overwhelmed by caregiving or the demands of relationships.
Others are lonely or missing meaningful connections.
You, too, may find yourself in this category. We’re in a season of supposed celebration, but we may not feel a whole lot like celebrating…
In the church calendar, we’re now in the season of Advent. The word “Advent” literally means “to come to or move towards.” I love the double-meaning of this word. On one hand, we are encouraged to reflect on what is it we’re coming to or coming towards in our lives or as a culture. And on the other hand, what, ultimately, is everything moving towards.
And one of the main themes of Advent is joy.
Joy? How can we have joy in the midst of such suffering and struggle?
First off, it is probably good to remember that joy is not equal to positivity or happiness. We can experience forms of joy without necessarily being happy or positive in our circumstances. Rationally, this may not seem possible. Yet our hearts seem to be able to find a way.
Secondly, joy may also be more about an ability, as spiritual author Cole Arthur Riley says, to exist “in and outside myself at the same time.” She cites Psalm 126 when the psalmist says that “we were like those who dream…our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy…[saying] God has done great things for us.” What is so extraordinary about this is that Psalm 126 refers to when the community of Israel was being held captive in a foreign land and they felt forgotten, disheartened and hopeless. Somehow, even in the midst of their pain and sorrow, a new vision was availabe to them.
This Advent, we’re not asked to choose between the sorrows of the world and a sense of joy. In fact, we’re encouraged to hold the tension of both. Be fully in your life – with whatever is going on there – and outside of it – inhabiting a dream of what your life or this world could be.
The great Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, said that, “in Advent we celebrate the coming and indeed the presence of Christ in our world. We witness to [God’s] presence even in the midst [italics mine] of all its inscrutable problems and tragedies.” Our faith is not some kind of denial of the tragedies of life or even a free pass that protects us from them. Instead, our faith holds out a hope that there is more than tragedy and sadness in life – even if we might not be able to perceive it in this present moment.
For these weeks of Advent, may we find the joy, articulated by writer Arundhati Roy and echoed in our scriptures, that “another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
8 Comments
Kathy Hanson
Thanks Mike for reminding us to let our “gift of joy” that God’s given to us, illuminate the darkness all around! Beyond grateful for the Boucher light! Happy Advent✌️♥️🎈
Ginny Biggie
What a hopeful message! Thank you, Mike
Marcy DeJesus-Rueff
Thank you, Mike. I feel this tension between Hope and despair intensely right now. And yet – there is a new world her way. May we all hear her breathing this Advent season. Thank you for reminding me to listen!
KATHRYN FRANZ
“Joyful participation in the sorrows of the world!.
I first heard that from Joseph Campbell, and it exquisitely expresses a way to hold joy and sorrow with both arms, embracing both.
Thank you, Mike.
Claire Benesch
Thanks, Mike. This reflection speaks volumes to me and goes right along with our small group discussion last evening. How can I look at the Ukraine, or the starvation in Somalia, or my own loneliness since my husband died 5 years ago especially around Christmas and still know joy? I don’t know how it happens but I do. I am joyful for the love I had with my husband that gave me 2 wonderful children and 5 delightful grandchildren. I am joyful that he lives on in so many memories. I am joyful that I am a part of this loving community of Spiritus Christi, something that probably would not have happened if my husband were still alive. I will spend this Advent searching for all the joys in my life as a result of “God with us”.
Monica Anderson
This very quote from SEASONS OF CELEBRATION sits by our Advent wreath. Thank you for highlighting it. Another part that resonates with me is: our task is to seek and find Christ in our world as it is, and not as it might be.
Stephen T Tedesco
Advent also reminds me of the parable of the 10 virgins. The successful virgins prepared to meet the bridegroom and therefore were able to share in the joy of the coming. Joy comes through the strengthening of our relationship with God. Because of this we can live in joyful anticipation of His coming. We must be ready for Christ’s return.
Sharon Heininger
Thoughts of Joy through the transcendence of Hope even though I experience suffering of self and this world resonances with me listening to your words. I am enjoying walking through this season of watchful waiting with you and this spiritual group. Thanks for sharing!
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