Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing. (Is. 35:5-6)
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing. (Is. 35:5-6)
Laughter and shouts of joy are signs of coming restoration, so sings the Psalmist. It is an important reminder in the Advent season as we prepare for the Birth of our Savior. He is the cause of our joy. If we are excited about Christ, that excitement is contagious, it will spread.
Joy has all but disappeared from modern society, and so often people, especially our youth, try to find what they think will being them joy or relief from boredom, from delusion, or suffering. Yet any sane person knows that drug or alcohol use, a dissipation of one's gifts, and taking refuge in all sorts of sinful pursuits does not bring joy, but rather takes one further away from that true cause of joy leading to despair.
As we are overwhelmed with the demands of the season to buy gifts, send cards, attend too many parties, we may feel conflicted by the need to pause and evaluate what this season is all about.
Joy (Christ) is meant to be shared. Let our gratitude for His coming extend to family, friends, neighbors, all whom we come in contact with. Hopefully our gratitude can multiply bringing joy (Christ) to our world so in need, especially those nearest to us suffering from spiritual maladies of all sorts.
Pope Francis reminds us of this in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”) that “the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus… With Christ joy is constantly born anew.”