Third Sunday of Advent
Some things are sent to break you. Others make you. Yet, both are the same. They differ by perspective. Instead of being broken, we develop the perspective to break through and strengthen ourselves with the very circumstances that break so many. The circumstances that arise and tear at our core trying to destroy become joyful sorrows.
Faith enlightens our souls knowing the sorrows will not swallow us, but with trust in the Divine Power, all things are possible. In this hope, the most profound mysteries unfold giving us insights into the Divine Mind.
Light comes from the darkness. As the Scriptures reveal, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom 5:20). The greatest good comes from the greatest evils. We bless rather than curse. We return goodness and abstain from evil, allowing the Spirit to quench our love for justice and peace. Or as St. Paul tells us, “Test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Th 5:21).
Each spirit needs testing, for some bring darkness. Darkness arises from the four types of sorrow: anxiety, apathy, pity, and envy. Anxiety dreads the future for evil arises like a wave building up to smash upon the shores of our future. The waves of anxiety sometimes come suddenly, other times slowly, but both overwhelm, plunging over us making us feel helpless, imprisoned. Many suffer, as psychologists reveal, some 30% suffer from permanent anxiety. Always fearing the future, not being able to break through and conquer their fear, devastates the soul.
Apathy—slothfulness—another negative spirit causes lethargy, a lack of motivation and inspiration. It deadens the soul, and a spiritual wasteland arises. This type of sorrow embraces the vapid, void, and as Solomon writes, “all is vanity” (Eccl 1:1). Weariness comes. Each day is a drudgery. The person barely endures life for they lack any spirit and/or soul.
Pity is another form of sorrow. People experience adversities. These adversities, even calamities, create empathy. We feel the other’s pain. It ought to move us to compassion—to suffer with them, doing what we can to heal and help. Yet, pity sickens the spirit of empathy causing persons to relish in the sufferings of others. Sadistically, they savor, enjoy, and even inflict more pain, while taking delight as people endure horrific anguish.
Finally, envy—the greatest of sins—delights in destroying the other for no other reason than to see the other person writhe in pain. Envy creates chaos and total confusion. No explanation can be given for the envious attacks. It is sheer mayhem. Envy, the sin of the Evil One, delights dehumanizing another person, especially when a person’s dignity is stripped, leaving one naked and ashamed of who they are. In essence, envy rapes the soul of a person leaving a void, sending them into the abyss.
Such sorrows haunt us. Made for glory, the sorrows of life condemn us to a life of misery. Destitute, distress comes stealing us of any joy. We live in the darkness of these sorrows. Yet, experiencing the depths of darkness, we see a light, not just any light, but the Light of Christ. He is the One whom prophets foretold. He is “the true light that enlightens every man” (John 1:9). He is full of grace and truth; and those who open their eyes see his glory, the glory of God dispelling our sorrows creating joy.
Joy arises from the darkness. Yes, the storms come but the prophet promises a Savior who heals the brokenhearted, proclaims liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, and a year of favor from the Lord (Is 61:1-3). He, the Anointed One, will
Give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified (Is 61:3).
His Spirit mighty and powerful reveals the Light of Love so bright He dispels our sorrows—lack of love—and tames our troubles—perplexity of heart.
Facing forward, our sorrows become the foundation stones of our faith. They become blocks upon which we build our hope. Through our sorrows, we look for the wisdom that leads us through then beyond the troubles and sorrows. Death becomes life. Sin becomes goodness. Evil is cast out and holiness arises.
Advent exposes the spirit of darkness. As the blackness tries to engulf, something strange happens. A light flickers. Hope dawns. The darkness of our sorrows prepares us to receive the Light. This Light “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:5). It cannot overcome it. This perspective: the Light transforms the darkness of our sorrows into joy, changes our view of our sorrows.
No longer engulfed by the sources of sorrow, we rejoice, giving thanks always that God came into the depths of our sorrows and brought the Light of Christ. He changed our mourning into dancing. He removes the sackcloth and ashes clothing us with majesty and glory. Our sadness becomes the source of our gladness. We sing the Lord’s praises for “Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (Jn 16:22). The greatest good comes when we embrace our sorrows, not to be overwhelmed, but to be transformed by his grace.
In His Light, the sorrows in our soul embrace the darkness. The Divine Light enlightens our minds to see into the darkness of our sorrows. Here in the darkness the Light of Christ shines. Out of our sorrows come joy. Courage confronts the sorrows giving us strengths we did not know we had. Prudence creates insights directing our actions carefully and judiciously. Hope dawns seeing the Light penetrate creating the way. Our love of the Light conquers all.
This Light is the Word Who created light. He is the Glory which shines upon his creation. He is God, Who is not only with God but is God dwelling in our lives. He, Wisdom Incarnate, is our Light and in his Light, we see his Truth, the Truth that conquers the darkness of our troubles and sets us free of our sorrows. His Spirit changes our perspective. No longer do we see troubles and sorrows as foes, preying on us as useless victims, rather they are meant to strengthen our fortitude empowering us to conquer.
They are the very means by which God’s grace comes and saves. Grace is that strength which empowers us to change the troubles in our lives into joys and to replace the sorrows with hope.
In the dark, his light shines noticeably. His Light brings the insight that our sorrows build a strength, a strength so tempered and steeled that nothing can tarnish nor damage our souls. Our strength, now yoked to Christ’s, gives us the courage and capacity to walk through the valley of sorrows—this veil of tears—only to be transformed from within. Transformed, we rejoice always, give thanks always, and pray always for the Lord has done great things for me.