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| Joy, from Aspects of Daily Life, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56048 [retrieved December 12, 2021]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:55-aspetti_di_vita_quotidiana,_gioia,Taccuino_Sanitatis,_Cas.jpg. |
Texts: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18
Lectionary Year C, Advent 3
Introduction
The Third Sunday of Advent, with its theme as joy has
an interesting history. The period we are currently experiencing that we call
Advent, originally was known as St. Martin’s Lent. It was just like the Lent
season before Easter, being 40 days long and of a similar penitential nature
and with an accompanying fast. It most likely arose around the fifth century.
It appears to have been shortened to the current four weeks around the ninth
century, and by the twelfth century the fast had been replaced by simple
abstinence. The Third Sunday of Advent is similar to Lent’s Fourth Sunday,
known as Laetare Sunday, which is also a break during the solemn period
for a day of celebration and joy. The liturgical color of purple, or sometime
deep blue, of the Advent season is broken for this one Sunday by the use of
pink or rose color. This is the reason why in some Advent candle sets, you will
see a single pink candle lit on the third Sunday.[1]
I bring this up because I was curious about today’s set of
readings. Three of them clearly are about rejoicing, but the gospel reading
from Luke continues where it left off last Sunday with a theme primarily of
repentance. At least one takeaway then, is that amidst this time of individual
and corporate reflection, introspection, and repentance, we also need to take
time out to express and experience joy.
But also what may be of interest are the circumstances surrounding
the writing of each of the three texts where rejoicing figures prominently.
Textual Contexts
Zephaniah
The prophetic writing of Zephaniah locates itself in the
seventh century BCE, during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. There is tenuous
calm for the nation of Judah and in the city of Jerusalem. But there are
growing threats from Assyria and Babylon. And within Jerusalem, the prophet
sees evil and corruption in the royal court and inside the Temple itself. Judgment
is prophesied for Judah and Jerusalem.[2]
What we heard this morning from this prophet’s text is the very final words – reactions
from the people after God rescues and restores a remnant back to Jerusalem. It
is joy that arrives with a backdrop of judgment and suffering. Joy is something
that people can claim and experience, even among still-fresh memories and
reminders of crisis and loss.
Isaiah
The psalm reading from Isaiah is placed at the end of the
first section of Isaiah. This section, like Zephaniah, contains oracles of
judgment against Judah. The enumerations of evil and corruption are far more
extensive and detailed than in Zephaniah. They go through the motions of
religious piety, but their hearts are full of evil. They think that their piety
will keep them safe from God’s judgments, all the while pursuing greed and
riches at the expense of the poor, widows, and orphans. Judgment is proclaimed
against Judah and Jerusalem. It is at the end of this that a repentant remnant
is prophesied to return and there will be joy.
Although today’s psalm is placed at the end of this first
section of Isaiah, scholars place the actual writing of the text during the
exile into Babylon.[3]
That makes the composition and the text of this psalm even more pointed since
they were written while experiencing the very judgments that were prophesied,
yet he still anticipates deliverance and joy.
Philippians
The reading from Philippians is generally accepted to have
been written by Paul while he was in a dungeon in Rome. The portion we heard certainly
speaks about joy, but it is not just there but throughout the entire epistle.
Paul does not dwell much on his own, immediate circumstances. His concern is
with how the gospel is spreading, with the Christian community in Philippi, and
how to continue in joy.
What is Joy?
The common thread in these three readings is about joy and
rejoicing while amidst sometimes extreme personal troubles and distress. How is
it possible to have joy when the world seems to be, or is, falling apart?
I did some searches on the web to see what opinions existed
in regards to differences between joy and happiness. As might be expected,
opinions ranged widely. Some think there aren’t any meaningful differences.
Some think that happiness is a subset of joy, or vice versa. And then there are
opinions that note that they are related, but they are not the same. I also
learned that joy and happiness are very fuzzy concepts. Even the American
Psychological Association’s dictionary[4]
entries did not add much clarity to any difference that might exist. There
doesn’t seem to be a formal description of what joy is and what happiness is.
Here are excerpts from a selection of articles I read –
Happiness usually involves a
victory for the self. Joy tends to involve the transcendence of self. Happiness
comes from accomplishments. Joy comes when your heart is in another.[5]
Joy often comes from encounters
with people—pouring pancake batter with a young child, or feeling a lover’s
fingertips skim your back as you enter a door.[6]
Earthly and material things are at
the base of happiness… Where happiness is created externally, joy is created
internally. Joy comes from being thankful, grateful, and through appreciation.
It comes from giving, caring for others, spiritual experiences, and a moral
lifestyle.[7]
… the consensus of the majority is
that your happiness depends on various external factors. Happiness is an
emotion that you experience as it happens to you… Joy needs you to connect –
this connection is often with other people or things in your lives, such as
people, pets, hobby, creation, etc.[8]
The common threads I see in the above opinions is that
happiness tends to be more of your reaction to what happens to you, personally.
Joy, on the other hand, seems to come from investments made into, and
relationships with other people, and from our own internal integrity with
ethics and morals that we express to the outside.
Repentance and Joy?
Considering these characteristics where joy is often found
and experienced, perhaps our gospel text in Luke isn’t so out of place after
all. We have heard three specific examples of what John the Baptist meant when
he preached repentance. To review, here is the text again:
10 And the crowds asked
him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever
has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do
likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they
asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them,
“Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers
also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort
money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your
wages.” Luke 3:10-14 (NRSV)
Episcopal priest Jaime Edwards-Acton notes that this really
isn’t a high bar that John sets.[9]
I think that we have often gotten the idea in our minds that repentance is a
huge deal and difficult, but these texts have John telling people who come to
ask him specific instructions that basically to be moral and ethical in dealing
with one another, and to be compassionate and caring. “Just be a decent
person,” John seems to be saying.
John isn’t calling for radical life change. He doesn’t tell tax
collectors to stop collecting taxes. Taxes are needed to fund government
services. A person may not agree with everything that the officials do with the
taxes, but they still support necessary services. In John’s time, they were
used to fund the Roman occupation. But John does not tell anyone to stop
collecting or paying taxes. He just tells the tax collectors to only collect
what is officially needed and no more. Be tax collectors of integrity and
ethics, John says.
John does not tell the soldiers to resign from the armed
forces, or in John’s case, law enforcement as well. Armed forces and law
enforcement are necessary to keep the peace. John’s admonishment to them is
that they should not use their position to extort money, take bribes, accuse
someone falsely, and satisfy their greed in that manner. John tells them to be
ethical soldiers of the empire. Become soldiers with integrity.
For the masses, he tells them that if they have more than
they need, and see someone in need, to simply share. He does not tell the crowd
that they have to become poor and needy themselves. Be decent, compassionate
neighbors, he instructs.
This is essentially what the prophets were also calling on
the people to do. The prophets’ messages were that the people already had
instructions on how they were to live. Don’t just agree that they are good, but
put those instructions into actual life activities, they proclaimed. Live lives
of integrity where beliefs and action are congruent, is the message.
Confidence in Joy
From the prophets in the Bible, Jesus, the apostles, and
many more throughout history and indeed with us today – many who suffer
hardships nevertheless are filled with joy.
Here lies what I believe is the key to a joy-filled life.
Joy is found in being connected with other people, looking after their
well-being, being empathetic with one another, being generous to whatever
extent is feasible, and living a life of integrity with Christian ethics and
values.
Hardships and suffering cannot negate joy. In fact, joy may
be one of the key ingredients that allows us to get through life and all its
twists and turns and survive difficulties and tragedies. As the author of
Hebrews wrote about Jesus,
1 Therefore, since we
are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the
race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and
perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right
hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NRSV)
The author of Hebrews tells us that it was joy of seeing the
redeemed, including us, that carried Jesus through the crucifixion.
Joy is not just a happy emotion or feeling. It is a
deep-seated confidence that all will resolve to justice and righteousness in
Christ. And we have each been given a part to play in this drama through our
generosity and integrity in our relationship with one another.
In conclusion, let me repeat today’s reading from
Philippians and continue a couple more verses beyond it.
4 Rejoice in the Lord
always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to
everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, beloved,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and
if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9
Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen
in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 (NRSV)
[2]
Feasting on the Word Commentary, Year C, Volume 1. Essays for Advent 3.
[3]
Ibid.
[5]
Brooks, David. Opinion
| The Difference Between Happiness and Joy - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
[6]
Bogost, Ian. Why
Joy Is Better Than Happiness - The Atlantic
[7]
Abbate, Bill. How
to Embrace Happiness and Joy in Your Life | by Bill Abbate | ILLUMINATION |
Medium
[9]
Liberation Lectionary Year C, Advent 3, posted Dec. 7, 2021 – https://fb.watch/9Rb9I6Rl5m/
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