Why we are able to rejoice

Ave Maria!  This Sunday past, the third Sunday of Advent known as Gaudete or "Rejoice!" Sunday, our first reading at Mass was the beautiful passage of Zephaniah 3:14-18a that begins with a summons to rejoice: 

 

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!

This particular reading is "an insistent invitation to joy," Pope Benedict XVI said in his Sunday homily.  The Holy Father pointed out that Zephaniah's announcement is similar to that of the angel to Mary:  "Rejoice, you who are full of grace" (Lk 1:26).  Both the prophet Zephaniah and the angel Gabriel go on to say "The Lord is with you!" ( Zeph 3:17; Lk 1:26).  This, then, the Holy Father explained, is "the essential reason" why we are able to rejoice:  God is with us.  Thus, "there is no longer any reason for despair, discouragement, sadness, whatever the situation is that we must face because we are certain of the Lord’s presence, who is able by himself to calm our hearts and make them rejoice." 

The joy foretold by Zephaniah finds it fulfillment in Jesus, the Holy Father continued, "who is in Mary’s womb, the 'Daughter of Zion,' and in this way makes his dwelling among us (cf. John 1:14). In fact, coming into the world, he grants us his joy, as he himself tells his disciples: 'I have told you these things so that my joy would be in you and your joy would be complete' (John 15:11).  Jesus brings salvation to men, a new relationship with God that overcomes evil and death, and he brings true joy by his presence, which brings light to our journey, a journey that is often troubled by darkness and egoism."   

Yes, we can have joy!  True joy!  Everlasting joy!  Our joy is well-founded because it comes from the Lord Jesus Himself, who dwells within us and among us.  "God exists, and God is good, and God is near," the Holy Father reminded us.  And we know with the certainty of faith that nothing in all creation can ever separate us from His love in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:39).  Deo gratias!  Thanks be to God!

With joy you will draw water

from the fountains of salvation.

And you will say on that day:

give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name;

among the nations make known his deeds,

proclaim how exalted is his name.

Isaiah 12:4