Rejoice and Testify to the Light by Beth DeCristofaro
I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, … so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:1, 11)
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. (John 1:6)
Piety
I
lift my heart up to you, Lord,
to thank you for the blessings
you shower on me each day.
You
are the ‘joy of my soul.’
I know that in your great love,
I am held and protected by you.
I
pray and listen to the good news you send;
I ask and feel the healing.
I am freed by you
from the things in this world
that let me hide from you.
I
rejoice, I rejoice, down to my soul.
Help me to prepare my heart
to be open and able to receive your immense love.
(Praying Advent, Creighton U)[i]
Study
Years ago, on an Encounter retreat in college, when asked to give a talk right after Mass reflecting on the Gospel, I was in a jumbled quandary. I was too full. There was too much to say! What “inspired” words would most touch our participants? My spiritual path was unclear. Yes, I was also nervous about being in front of an audience. In my memory, I said just a few forgotten ideas but repeatedly quoted from Godspell “day by day; we can see God more clearly, follow God more nearly and love God more dearly” because it seemed to encapsulate what I felt within myself was the essence of what I, and we all, should do.
A more experienced preacher would have been able to give some guidance on how that is done, offer examples of Scripture and the lives of holy people for inspiration. I was just too full – full of choosing the “best” advice, full of my inability to assert and live the message – but also too full of the joy that I wished to proclaim. Looking back, I believe my imperfect address pointed to the truth that we all must struggle to find for ourselves. We must dump the fullness of self-image and self-worth and our frailty. We can then accept the mystery of emptiness in which God’s light is present and can shine forth through the testimony of our lives.
As we jettison the even well-intentioned trappings such as a desire to perfect our prayer, achieve and succeed (even as a best person), and score points for heaven, we can reach with empty hands and naked souls for the God who waits for us. And we can find ourselves full.
Action
Today, Gaudete Sunday, we are called to Rejoice! The Spirit of the Lord is upon us yet is coming. This week, how can I rejoice in the graces given me? In a busy holiday season, to what light am I testifying?
Illustration: https://stmichaellivermore.com/blog/rejoice-midst-darkness
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