Reflection for the 2nd Friday of Advent
“Jesus said to the crowds, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.’ ” see Mt 11:16-19
In the scripture for the day, it seems like Jesus is chiding the crowds for among other things not being joyful. “We played the flute for you, but you did not dance…” I can almost hear him add, “What’s wrong with you people!”
There is something powerful about the feeling of joy. Being joyful. Rejoicing. Bringing joy to the world. Just thinking about the word makes me want to smile.
Joy is a particularly important Advent virtue. The third Sunday of Advent is dedicated to joy, in Latin called Guadete Sunday. As Christmas approaches, we’ll soon hear about the angels rejoicing and be singing ‘Joy to the world.’ But will I truly be joyful?
Joy is a virtue, not a virus. But like a virus, joy is highly contagious. Imagine someone entering a room who has all of the symptoms of joy – smiling, a little silly, just happy to be there. It is not long before the other, more serious, self-conscious and self-absorbed people in the room have smiles on their faces too.
Just as with the Corona virus, masking and social distancing prevents the transmission. If I’m too self-absorbed or self-conscious, it will be hard for me to spread the ‘disease’. If I hide behind my usual façade and remain emotionally or physically distant, the joy ‘virus’ will sadly remain contained.
Joy is a virtue that is radiated by many Saints. Mother Teresa exudes joy with that iconic smile. Saint Francis enraptured the town of Assisi with his dancing in the snow and singing in the streets. Unbridled joy in their lives spread Missionaries of Charity and the Orders of Franciscans ‘infecting’ people all around the world – a literal pandemic (pan = world; demos = people).
I think about the truly holy people who have entered my life. They all have one thing in common. Joy. Sometimes the joy radiates from deep within. Sometimes it is blindingly bright on the surface. Sometimes both.
Joy is also a virtue that holds at bay other darker thoughts and desires. One cannot be filled with joy and despair at the same time.
The photo is of our dog, Mack Swinney, who absolutely knows how to engage in playful, unbridled joy. Hilton Head Island is a dog friendly beach in December. We let him off his leash. Without hesitation, he seized the moment and immediately began chasing a cluster of seagulls on the shore. I don’t think he really had any desire to catch any, but saw great fun running recklessly in the midst of the flapping, squawking birds. I must admit, as a boy I would do the same.
Maybe its time again for me to reenter life the same way. Quit calculating what it’s going to cost, or worry about what others may think. Just remove the mask, jump in with a big smile on my face, and let my joy infect the world around me.
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance…’ Jesus is the piper playing a song. It is a beautiful song of salvation. Let this song fill you with joy… and dance!