Third Sunday Of Advent, Year C: Advent Joy On Gaudete Sunday

At the end, the Moral Deeds Group reported higher scores on a range of well-being measures than the Moral Thoughts Group, and both reported higher scores than the Treat Yourself Group. Those caring for others actively felt greater purpose in life and sense of control, while the others did not. They were also the only ones who felt less anger and social isolation.

The end results were clear, and consistent with a huge body of data showing that focusing less on yourself and your desires will make you happier. This is not to argue you should stop praying for others or stop paying attention to your own needs. As they say on the airlines, you must “put on your own oxygen mask first” so you can best help other people.3

Joy also comes from yourself.

Your set range of happiness is based somewhat on your biological parent’s level of happiness. Wealth has a surprisingly low correlation to happiness because the less fortunate in life are generally just as happy as others with more money. Only extreme poverty can make people less happy.

Ways to increase your happiness is to forgive, and to deliberately go against what one’s sinful tendency might be. Choosing the opposite of what one instinctively desires.

And trust in God’s Providence for the future. We are called to have a particular aversion to the use of memory which shuts out the future. This use of memory shows a distrust of the mercy, power, and love of God. Our present suffering is not the final story of our lives. It is a suffering with one who also triumphed, so there is hope.6

We also must recognize thoughts that rob our peace. We must displace evil thoughts. Recognize that some come from Satan. Reject or simply ignore them. Practice custody of the mind.

C. S. Lewis used to talk about the difference between joy and pleasure. Joy comes from within. It is steady and abiding. Legitimate pleasure, on the other hand, comes and goes with whatever is happening in our environment. It is extrinsic because it arises from the outside. And non-legit pleasure enslaves and robs inner peace. 4

To nurture joy: The order is Jesus, Others, Yourself.

1. MOLLY LESTER, The Politics of Sound and Song: Lectors and Cantors in Early Medieval Iberia, The Journal of Ecclesiastical History, January 1, 2021 pg. 478

2. Joel White, THE PARAENETIC USE OF “SPIRITUAL SONGS” (COL 3,16B) IN COLOSSIANS, Biblica, January 1, 2020 pg. 70

3. Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, Build the Life You Want, from Chapter 4.

4. King Duncan, Jingle Bells at a Funeral, Sermons.com