«REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS»

With the Third Sunday of Advent we are now close to Christmas. Hence the invitation of the liturgy: «Rejoice in the Lord always: I repeat: rejoice, the Lord is near» (Entrance Antiphon). The first reason for so much joy is the imminent coming of the Lord. He is there, our true joy, our profound joy, joy that supports our waiting in the present moment. Don Primo Mazzolari writes: “Everyone’s life is a waiting. The present is not enough for anyone: the eye and the heart always look forward, beyond the brief joy, beyond the limit of possession, beyond the goals achieved with hard work. At first it seems that we are missing something; later we realise that someone is missing. And we wait for him.” A second reason is offered to us by Isaiah (cf. Is 61,1-2.10-11), the messianic prophet par excellence. The Messiah (mashiach) will inaugurate the year of grace, states the prophet, in which a new alliance will be established. Good news will be brought to the poor, those who are in trial will be consoled and prisoners will be released. A third reason for joy comes from Paul, who writes to the Christians of Thessalonica: “Always be happy, pray continuously, give thanks in all you do” (cf. 1Thes 15,16-18). The church of Thessalonica had to put up with several challenges since it began: despite this it experiences a state of permanent joy (pántote, v. 16), by virtue of the presence of the Holy Spirit (v. 6).

Yes, it will come, and it will be the last evening of the world.
At first, silence, then the anthem will explode.
And the first blue note of the new dawn will be full joy.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey