Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent, we are called to be joy-filled. We light the pink candle on our Advent wreath. What is the difference between happiness and joy? Is there a difference? What if you are not happy, can you have joy?
These are questions that come to mind when celebrating this season and this Sunday.
What Is Joy?
Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Joy has nothing to do with all things going well. Joy has nothing to do with everything being the way you like it. Joy is in the person who sees with the eyes of faith even if those eyes are filled with tears. Joy is an internal disposition.
Happiness is momentary. Happiness has to do with things being to our liking. We are happy when things go the way we have planned. Joy-filled is that in the midst of the things that have been planned and gone wrong, we see hope in the unexpected situations.
If you are mourning the loss of someone, you are not happy. You can be joy-filled in that your loved one may now be seeing the face of God. Joy is more of a choice rather than a feeling. It is a choice made possible through the eyes of faith.
Joy In The Scriptures
The readings invite us to be joy filled. They did not invite us to be happy.
In the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah we read about the parched desert coming to bloom with flowers. Those who are weak will be made strong. Those who are fearful will be given security, and those who are blind will see. Notice that the promise of joy the reading is making takes root in the midst of their suffering. We might say that the root of resurrection is found in our crosses. The promise that God will deliver us is our joy.
The second reading from the Letter of James urges us to have patience. It is possible that the people to whom James is writing may be experiencing some suffering, if not persecution, for their faith. James urges them to remain faithful. God will not abandon them. Joy comes from hope.
In the Gospel we meet John the Baptist in prison. Notice it is John who hears the news of all that Jesus is doing. John actually did not know exactly what to expect from Jesus. John may have thought that the Messiah would come as a judge. There existed many views of what the mission of the Messiah was to accomplish.
Would the Messiah free the Israelites from the oppression of the Romans?
Would the Messiah be priestly and spiritual?
Would the Messiah be a great teacher?
John had to go through a spiritual conversion. While he was in prison, John had to reevaluate his ideas and his ministry. While he heard that Jesus caused the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the lepers to be cleansed and the dead to be raised, these actions were all messianic signs taken from Isaiah. John sends a question to Jesus from his prison cell. John asks Jesus if he is the one who was to come or should he look for another? John is not sure. Jesus does not answer John’s question. Jesus points to his works and allows John to make his decision.
Is Jesus the Messiah or not?
Choosing Joy In A Broken World
Where does this leave us? The world is not in good shape, our country and city are in a mess. Crime against innocent people seems to be up. Many are seriously ill, family problems for many are overbearing. Many marriages are in crisis. Priestly and religious vocations are also in crisis. The Catholic Church is in the midst of scandals. How can we not help but say with John to Jesus, are you the one
Perhaps Jesus would answer by saying, look at all the good things going on around you. Look at those who are striving to follow the gospel. Look and see the great generosity people have. Look at the good young people who give of themselves as servers in soup kitchens. Look at the many loving marriages that exist, look at the sincere and convicted priests and religious who serve people in the direst of circumstances, look at the many individuals who give of themselves for others.
Yes, there are selfish people, yes, there are hypocritical people, yes, there are people who have made bad decisions which have had a negative effect on us, however, we can choose to be hope-filled and even joy-filled that so many do try to follow the gospel, even if they do not know they are following the gospel.
We all have free will. When we use free will to do good things, life is good for many. If we use our free will to be negative, aggressive, and disregard others, we all suffer. So, I choose joy, and I choose to stand with many who follow the gospel even if we get pushback because in the end, God wins and good triumphs.
Be joy-filled. God is near.
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
December 14, 2025
