R.O.S.E.: AN ACTION PLAN TOWARDS REJOICING

How are we to rejoice? We can read a lot of self-help manuals on how we can indeed be happy in life. Despite the existence of these self-help manuals on genuine happiness, pure joy remains to be an elusive reality in our life. More guidelines are published each year, but few people experience joy.

Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, we are to rejoice. We call this Sunday as Gaudete Sunday in reference to the entrance antiphon that says:  "Rejoice (Gaudete in Latin) in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob." (Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85 (84):1). We are half-way through our waiting for the coming of our Jesus Christ on Christmas day. Mid-way in our waiting, we rejoice as we see the forthcoming of our goal. What a joy! The liturgical color for today outwardly expresses our the joy we celebrate today. Rose is a color of celebration. We become roses to others when we become their reason for joy (Hopeful, we shall not turn into thorns!). Thus, it is also called Rose Sunday.

This Sunday, let the word ROSE be our guide in our desire to be glad.

Recognize. We can be genuinely joyful when we learn to recognize the graces of God in our life, and ultimately His plan for each of us. Seeing the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God in our Life brings us delight. We shout for joy; we sing joyfully in knowing the will of the Father. To save us from sin and death; to be with Him is the sole desire of God for us. Our salvation is our reason for rejoicing. 

When we do not know what we should do in our life, have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God (Phil 4:6). Ask the good Lord, “What should we do?”

Obey. Knowing the desire of God for us should move us to obey Him. We are saddest when we realize our OWN plans, in our OWN strength, and end up frustrated if not a failure. Left on our own, we are doomed. By obeying the will of God, we do ourselves the most significant thing we can render to ourselves, for the will of God only desire the best for us. By disobeying God’s will, we sin; we know what and how SHOULD we do things in accord we God’s commandments, but we insist on our OWN way. We end up separating ourselves from God by offending Him. 

Along our way, as we strive to realize God’s plan; we sometimes lose sight of our goal, we give-in to temptations; we deviate from God’s desire. When we sin, bravely admit it and repent; return to the Lord. Thus, for us to be obedient to God, it is imperative for us to constantly beg the good Lord “What should we do?” We are to remain in the Lord always. We return to Him.     

Sacrifice. Obedience to God requires sacrifice. This is primarily evident in giving our OWN ways, and desire, so that indeed His will be done. Parents give-up their bachelor’s way of life that they may dedicate themselves in taking care of each other and their children. Priests and religious sacrifices the prospect of married life so that they may be made available to everyone. This is difficult but brings forth incomparable gladness. Just look at the faces of parents when they see their children getting married and living a good life. Just look at the faces of religious sisters as they assist their students in their graduation day. Indeed it is a sacrifice to live our lives for others and God, but it is only through such sacrifices for others that we can realize our true selves as Christians, just like Christ who lives not for Himself for his friends.   

Enjoy. In all these things, never forget to enjoy the life we live. In the midst of obedience and sacrifice that our lives demand, always find the sunny side of life. We are people of Easter morn. No Christian should wear long faces as if stuck in Good Friday. We can only enjoy the life that God wanted us to live as we learn to own it and find meaning in this life. There is no greater joy in this world than to follow God’s will.

As we recognize the will and graces of God, obey Him, sacrifice our own will, and enjoy the life God wanted us to live, we become roses; pleasing to the eyes of God and man; causes of joy to all.