About Joy

A week and a half ago, we celebrated Thanksgiving. A time for family and friends to gather and give thanks for the friendships, love, and connection among each other and for God. Today, we are invited to continue to give thanks to God. We hear in Psalm 126 “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

During this season of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and we look forward to the second coming of Christ. We have much to give thanks to God for. “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

During this season of Advent we are reminded of the love of God who sends us His only begotten Son out of love for humanity and creation. Much of the theological world believes that Jesus had to come to earth because of the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. In Franciscan Theology, Jesus would have come to earth whether humanity sinned or not because of the love God has for us and creation. God loves us that much. We have much to give thanks to God for. “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

During this season of Advent we are invited by God and led by God in joy as in our reading from the prophet Baruch reminds us. “...for God is leading Israel in joy.” What truly brings us joy? I invite you to think of five things that bring you joy. For me this is what God placed on my heart:

  • Being able to celebrate the Eucharist and in particular give the Body of Christ to the Body of Christ at Communion time.

  • Watching the expression or hearing the thankfulness of people after praying the Prayer of Absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

  • Spending time with my family, especially my three nieces Sophia, Vivi, and Nora who are now 14, 12 and 8 years old.

  • Teaching people new board games, especially Ticket to Ride and watching them win for the first time.

  • Nature: running on fresh snow in winter, smelling the blooming flowers in spring, feeling the rays of the sun in summer, and walking on the crackling leaves in the fall.

I have much joy in my life to give thanks to God for. May you take a moment to reflect on the joy in your life. “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

Friar Nader Ata, OFM Conv.

Friar Nader Ata, OFM Conv.
Associate Pastor

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Finding Joy In The Midst of Advent

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My New Year’s Resolution