Welcome to the third week of Walking Toward Bethlehem in Rejoicing

As our Advent journey continues toward Bethlehem we hasten on with rejoicing. The third Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is translated Rejoice. We are midway through Advent. Time to take a moment and rejoice that we have made it this far and can see the light of the Nativity ahead. Lately, I have heard from others and from my own lips how tired we are of the virus, wearing masks, missing our friends, families, jobs and social events. My parish priest mentioned in his homily Sunday morning the song, Rejoice in the Lord Always. He went on to say it in itself is a prayer we can pray during the day.  

Rejoice In The Lord Always;
And Again I Say, Rejoice.
Rejoice In The Lord Always;
And Again I Say, Rejoice.

Rejoice, Rejoice,
And Again I Say, Rejoice.
Rejoice, Rejoice,
And Again I Say, Rejoice.

Now, I have the words in my head and can’t get them out but I thought wait a minute… Maybe this is not such a bad thing. Rejoicing throughout the day may be a good thing. I smile when I try to imagine Joseph leading the donkey, Mary riding on the donkey’s back over hill and dale and both humming or singing, Rejoice In The Lord Always; Again I Say, Rejoice.

When I take a moment, to mediate on rejoicing I come with many things I am thankful, my health, husband, family, friends, food, home, books, colors, smells, and my camera and the list goes on and on. In my good place, I can even be thankful for COVID19. The virus has slowed us down, to prioritize what is important and spend time being quiet, listening for God’s whisper. To realize how important my faith family is, how precious the concept of faith community is. To realize how blessed we are. So even when I have those times when I have a hard time imagining Joseph and Mary singing Rejoice In The Lord Always; Again I Say, Rejoice. I know one thing for sure, we have a loving and forgiving God who understands if Mary and Joseph and we weren’t/aren’t continuously singing Rejoice In The Lord Always. God is still walking with us, leading the way understanding our pains, sorrows and loneliness, so truly we can rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!

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